HPWW541-550
Chapter 541
"If you want to talk to them, then talk to them. I will not
stand in your way. I'll even let them know you want to talk
to them."
She gave her own nod back and said, "Thank you."
Harry replied, "You're welcome." And withdrew.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
With Narcissa's obvious hint, Harry returned upstairs to
the Black Townhouse Potter rooms and sought his three
ladies out.
Walking in and finding them in Fleur's - or, rather,
Hermione's - room, he let them know Narcissa wanted the
opportunity to speak with them at some time.
"I told her I don't make those sort of decisions for you
ladies," he added. "It's up to you whether or not you
choose to speak with her."
Daphne asked, "Was it urgent?"
"Not by the tone of her voice, no," he replied.
"Thank you, Harry," said Hermione, starting to rise.
"However, for now, I need to get back to my parents. I've
been gone for over a week and I promised I'd spend the
rest of the weekend with them when I returned."
"Then, go, Love!" he declared. "We're only a floo away."
Walking across to him with a smile, she gently kissed him
before she stepped back and said, "Thank you." Then left
through the door.
As the door to the room closed behind her, Fleur asked,
"Anyone else have any plans?"
With a small head shake, he replied, "No. With no summer
assignments to complete, it feels a little odd to say that,
though."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The next afternoon, Hermione dropped over after lunch.
Surprised to see her and concerned, Harry asked, "What's
wrong?"
"Nothing, Harry," she was quick to assure him. "I just have
a meeting with Narcissa."
"As do we," said Daphne from behind him.
When he turned about, it was to see both Daphne and
Fleur enter the room. Both were smiling.
"Oh-kay," he warily said. "This is one of those things
concerning women me, as a mere male, is better off not
knowing; isn't it?"
"Something like that," said Hermione. "But, if you really
want to know―"
Quickly raising his hands in mock surrender, Harry walked
out saying, "No, no; I really don't want to know. I get the
poorly veiled hint."
As he left, it was to hear Hermione snickering to the
others.
After he'd left, Hermione said, "Shall we track down
Narcissa?"
"She's in Sirius's office," said Daphne. "She's expecting
us."
Hermione gave a nod and followed the other two to the
office.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After tracking down Sirius, Harry informed him the girls
were in a meeting with Narcissa.
"You wouldn't mind keeping an eye on that, would you?"
he asked, just a smidge wary.
"They'll be fine, Harry," his godfather replied. "There's
nothing that can go down in this house that could see
harm to any of your ladies and I won't instantly know about
it. Besides, Dorothy is also in that meeting. She'll keep an
eye on things."
Harry gave a nod and said, "Thank you. I now know
Narcissa is not likely to cause them any harm, buuuut..."
"But you still want them protected in case she tries
anything," Sirius finished. "I understand."
"Plus," he said, "If they're in a meeting for a while, that
gives me a chance to go to Pottermore to get some flying
in for a couple hours."
"Sounds like a good idea," said Sirius. "If they come out of
their meeting before you're back, I'll let them know where
you are."
"Thanks, Sirius," he smiled.
A quick dash upstairs to grab his broom and Harry was out
through the floo to Pottermore.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
A very happy day for the household at the Black
Townhouse was the thirteenth birthday of CeeCee on
Tuesday, the 10th of August. Until that morning, everyone
had pretended it 'wasn't that much of a big deal' when
around the girl, but were all half-cackling in glee about
what was planned when she wasn't about.
Harry was up early and cooking a breakfast that consisted
of her favourite breakfast foods, plus a set of 'box lunches'
for a major picnic. He was also ordering the house elves
about to prepare a party for early that evening; not
realising four others had already done the same - Dorothy,
Narcissa, Sirius and Hermione.
Unsurprisingly, the whole household was up reasonably
early, except CeeCee. Her whole demeanour, the night
before, reflected she thought they wouldn't be making any
sort of outstanding effort for her on the day she became a
teenager. So, Dorothy ended up having to go and wake
her.
For CeeCee, though, she did not know what to think of it.
Until 'Uncle Sirius' and 'Uncle Ted' had turned up in Perth
on their doorstep, she had no real knowledge of just when
her true birthday actually was. Because of her age when
'found', a 'guesstimate' was made and her birthday was
determined to be the fifteenth of August for records
requiring a date of birth. Finding out her true identity and,
with it, her true date of birth - and that the pædiatricians
were only off by five days - came as yet another shock on
that day of shocks.
When she walked into the kitchen, still half-asleep and
half-dressed, she was stunned almost senseless when
she saw the very large pile of presents that occupied the
middle of the kitchen table; with the rest of the household -
except Dorothy and Harry, who were cooking - sitting
around it and grinning back at her. She'd forgotten her
birthday had shifted forward by five days.
"Whaa?" she quietly asked.
"Happy birthday, Charlie!" called her mother. That had
everyone else adding their own wishes of happiness on
this, her special day.
Finally dragged to the seat of honour at the table, Dorothy
plated an egg-white omelette and placed it before her,
before then planting a kiss on the top of the girl's head.
Then Narcissa was happy to add her own, the same way.
"Eat first; then unwrap," demanded Dorothy, as she turned
and went back to the oven. She and Harry had the rest of
the breakfast to serve before they could sit and eat their
own.
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Chapter 542
During breakfast, CeeCee was told that the whole
household would be spending the day out and about in not
quite strenuous activity, "So, try not to stuff yourself silly;
or you'll just end up throwing it all up again."
But first and after eating, presents.
Harry, on behalf of the Potter Four, bought her a broom - a
Nimbus 2001. Apparently, she was a decent flyer, but
didn't play Quidditch or even Quodpot. She could fly - very
much enjoyed flying, even - but did not want to risk harm
to her eyes by playing either of those dangerous sports.
Instead, she preferred to race. And the Nimbus 2001,
straight line, could be thought of as being even faster than
the Firebolt.
His girls bought her wizarding make up and promised
they'd show her how to use it to highlight and accentuate,
rather than 'cake'.
Sirius, unsurprisingly, splurged on joke products and urged
her to make use of them. But also cautioned her not to
use the clearly magical ones in a muggle area or in the
presence of muggles 'not in the know'; while ever-staid
Remus focussed on books of charms focussed on 'young
ladies' and their needs.
Narcissa bought her understated jewellery and a selfupdating book on the Houses of magical Britain, then
urged her to study it as much and as often as she could.
The Wilkinses bought her quite a lot of 'normal' gifts,
including audio cassettes and CDs of some of her
favourite muggle bands. Dorothy, though, bought her a
large gift and told her it was 'unmentionables' and,
therefore, should not be opened at the table.
Surprising the girl and the Wilkinses, though, were the
number of nice gifts bought her by members of the
Alliance. They included a wrist wand holster (Amelia
Bones), books (various), at set of muggle novels (Monica
and Wendell), some seeds of magical plants (Neville),
more magical make-up (Hannah and Susan), a pair of
understated ear rings and matching necklace (Frank and
Alice) - to which Dorothy declared it was 'about time'
CeeCee's ears were pierced - a nice robe with the Malfoy
crest (unknown gifter and, therefore, scanned out the
wahzoo for illicit charms and the like upon it; there were
none such) and some others. It was a pretty decent haul.
After the unwrapping of gifts, Sirius then announced the
next 'gift', a day out at a local amusement park; which
apparently, from her excited squeal, was something
CeeCee was really looking forward to.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The day out, even for Harry, was declared 'brilliant' by the
younger Brits and 'unreal' by the younger 'Aussies'. They'd
spent almost the whole day there, until it was getting on to
dinner time.
Harry's box lunches were 'elf-popped' to the park by
Dobby, when Harry sneakily applied a Notice-me-Not
charm on himself and snuck into an out-of-the-way corner,
where he then cast a small area Notice-me-Not before
calling the little elf to deliver them to him. Then he simply
carried the whole lot to the 'rest area' where the family had
gathered, before serving everyone their own lunch.
By the time they left, the only one who was unhappy about
that was Sirius. The old dog would have been happy to
stay right through to closing time at 9.00pm, if he'd had his
way.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
On the Thursday of their first week back in Britain, two
days later, Harry thought it was high time they went and
got their supplies for the forthcoming Hogwarts year;
except for Fleur, their fifth.
They thought they'd be able to go on their own. However,
that idea got shot down when the Wilkinses expressed a
desire to go to the Alley again; which meant a whole slew
of adults accompanied them as bodyguards for the
muggle family.
Flooing to the Leaky Cauldron they were soon through the
brick wall portal out the back and into the Alley proper.
All up, there was Harry, Hermione, Fleur, Daphne, Neville,
Susan, Hannah, Justin (who'd been collected by Lydia
Davis for the day) and Tracey of their close group. Plus,
for adults and others accompanying them, there was
Sirius, Narcissa, CeeCee, the other Wilkinses, Remus,
Wendell and Monica, Lydia Davis (as aforementioned),
Frank, Alice and Pauline Abbott. They arrived via floo in
the Leaky Cauldron in one group of fourteen, one
immediately after another, from the Black Townhouse; with
the other nine coming in two other groups. Lydia and
Tracey, plus Justin, arrived via apparation; Neville, Susan,
Hannah, Frank, Alice and Pauline arrived via floo a few
minutes later.
Such a big group, other than one such usually led by a
Hogwarts Head of House when escorting large groups of
muggleborns' families, was unusual. Throw in that Harry
Potter was in the group and there was the usual annoying
gawking and 'talking behind hands with friends and family'
going on. That Narcissa Malfoy, of all people, was also in
the group had some people not expecting them or already
knowing about it almost faint in shock.
However, to save on turning up at one shop or another as
one large group - almost, if not actually, overwhelming the
store at that time - they broke into three smaller groups of
eight, eight and seven. Harry and his three went with
Sirius, Remus, Wendell and Monica. Neville and his two
went with Frank, Alice, Pauline, Patrick and Sarah. And
Justin and Tracey went with Lydia, Narcissa, Stephen,
Dorothy and CeeCee. The breakdown of that last group
lead Harry to give a quick smirk to his own group.
Hermione had wanted to head directly to the bookshop,
first. However, Harry put his foot down before even
Wendell could and said no. "The books will actually be the
heaviest of the loads we'd have to carry. On top of that,
you can easily spend hours in there, when we don't have
that sort of time just yet or even today. No, we'll be the first
of our oversized group to go to Madam Malkin's to
organise replacement robes and the like. That way, they'll
be getting those ready for us while we do the rest of our
shopping and we can collect them on the way out."
With an annoyed sigh, Hermione only nodded back. It
surprised Wendell and Monica that she didn't put up much
of a fuss about it, except to express an annoyed pout.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After their robe fittings and organising of replacement
school uniforms, before they even left the girls forced on
Harry the purchase of more casual-wear robes.
When he'd tried to refuse, he was met with three 'hostile'
glares from his ladies.
"Okay!" he quickly held up his hands in surrender as Sirius
snickered. "However," turning to look at Fleur he said, "I've
noticed there's a slight difference in the cut of material
between French and British styles. I want to see you
outfitted into at least three, preferably more, good sets of
British style witches' robes, while I'm being forced to go
through my own. No argument."
Fleur happily went along with that.
So, while Hermione, Sirius and Remus 'helped' Harry
select some new robes, with Wendell watching in
amusement, Fleur was accompanied by Daphne and
Monica over to the witch's side of the store.
However, Sirius also had the bright idea to have Wendell
and Monica also outfitted in at least one set of formal-wear
and one set of casual-wear robes each. So, those two
were also accordingly outfitted without having to borrow
robes, as they'd done in the past.
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Chapter 543
After robe fittings, the rest of the shopping went through
quite quickly.
Harry had found out that, while Hermione and Fleur had
one each, Daphne did not have a Ladies Travelling Trunk,
so one was purchased for her. While in the store,
replacement featherweight and space expansion charmed
school 'satchels' were also bought as needed.
The rest of what they needed wasn't really all that much.
They restocked and added potion ingredients, replaced
cauldrons, ingredient knives and the like and bought the
few text books they needed on top of what they were
already using; then purchasing and restocking more
supplies for their pets.
Then Hermione was finally allowed to purchase books she
wanted, but couldn't find in either the Pottermore or Black
Townhouse libraries. However, even that time was cut
short as they needed to meet up with the others.
Finally, they were back at their 'meeting point' at
Fortescue's ice creamery. They were the last to arrive;
which had Hermione's somewhat huffy attitude, due to the
shortness of her visit to the bookshop, halted in its tracks.
She had no idea how fast time had flown by.
After an icecream each and, as one group, they headed
back to Madam Malkins to collect clothing. Harry wasn't
the only one surprised to see the large wrapped parcel
that awaited CeeCee. He heard Hermione, for one, give a
slight gasp of surprise, as she too had obviously figured it
out.
When he turned to look at Narcissa, she had the slightest
of smirks on her face and quietly said, "We'll discuss it
back at the Townhouse."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After quick words of parting before seeing each other
again at the meeting of the Alliance scheduled the coming
Saturday, they separated and headed home.
As soon as they were back at the Black Townhouse and
before even Hermione could ask about what Harry knew
was already on her mind, he asked, "I take it CeeCee will
be joining us at Hogwarts?"
Surprised, Sirius replied, "Yes. How'd you figure it out?"
"The size of the bundle CeeCee picked up at Madam
Malkins," he immediately replied.
"That's how I figured it out, too," added Hermione.
"Damn," said Sirius. "It was supposed to be a surprise."
"It is and it isn't," he smirked. "However, have you done
anything to stop Malkin's people, or any of the other
shopkeepers and sales assistants where she bought
supplies from, from talking about it?"
That even surprised Narcissa, which showed she hadn't
thought of that.
Sheepishly, Sirius replied, "Errr... no."
With a firm nod, Harry said, "Then there's a very good
chance it'll be in the Daily Prophet before too long. That is,
of course, if any of the shopkeepers or assistants figured
out who she was. That Narcissa was with the group with
her, there is, of course, a good chance of that."
Sirius gave a pained look back, as Narcissa gave him her
own very calculating look.
Finally, she said, "Yet again you've confirmed for me you
should have been sorted into Slytherin."
"Is this going to cause trouble?" asked a worried Dorothy.
"No," replied Narcissa, switching her attention to the
woman. "There was always a chance others will have
either figured it out or will have guessed ahead of time.
Cousin Harry's... analysis... only shows it is now likely,
rather than just possible as we believed."
Turning back to Harry she asked, "If you've figured that
out, have you also figured out why?"
"Yes," he nodded. "Though Hogwarts is dangerous, it is
less dangerous than leaving her to attend Dundee in
Australia, without proper protection.
"At Hogwarts: She'll have from off the staff Headmistress
Lady Marchbanks and, I would think, Pomona Sprout.
Both will no doubt be keeping an even closer eye on what
happens to her; and I know Lady Marchbanks has had the
wards adjusted to include monitoring. From the students
she'll have us Heirs; plus, if she's entered into the CBA
with Justin, as I suspect, she'll be in the Lords' Quarters
with the rest of us. Even if not, I'll also be making it quite
public I consider her a daughter of Black and, as such,
under my direct protection as Heir Tertiary. I dare say I'll
only have to glare at a couple of the idiots before the
message sinks in."
Turning to look at CeeCee directly, he said, "As for you,
young lady, you're going to find yourself inundated with
about nine pseudo big brothers and sisters while at
school. We may be two years ahead of you, but you can
come to us with anything you don't want to take to a
professor; or take to us and a professor. I promise you, the
rest of the student body respect me, are scared of me, are
simply in awe of me or a combination of all three. No one
wants to annoy me. They fear what I'm legally allowed to
do to them if they step out of line. Understand?"
CeeCee just nodded back.
Then he grinned and said, "Besides, if you find any
difficulty with other students and you fear harm from
them... call Fawkes. He can get you out of there, licketysplit. While he has expressed he does not want to be seen
as a 'cab service', he will aid you in getting you out of
danger."
While that seemed to surprise her, before she could reply,
Sirius said, "That's a damned good idea, pup." He then
looked to CeeCee and said, "And I heartily agree."
Fawkes had not been around a lot, as far as Harry had
been aware. When he mentioned it, CeeCee said, "Uncle
Sirius put a roost for him in my room. He's often in there,
napping, or out hunting or doing something else. He also
visits the school a lot. He says he's just keeping an eye on
things."
'That explains that,' thought Harry.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The morning of the Monday a week after they'd returned
from France, Harry ducked over to Longbottom Hall to talk
to Neville. It was also the day before the August meeting
of the Wizengamot.
As he popped out of the floo in the Longbottom Hall
welcoming room with only a slight stagger, Neville was
already waiting for him.
"You're getting better, Harry," smiled his best mate.
"I have my moments," he drolled.
"So," said Neville, as he began to lead the two of them to
the conservatory, "What brings you over?"
"A couple of issues," he sighed in reply. "First, I wanted to
see how you're holding up."
Looking a little puzzled, Neville asked, "I'm fine. Why do
you ask?"
As they walked into the conservatory, Harry quietly replied,
"Your grandmother. She's due to be released in two days."
Neville paused only a moment before he gestured to one
of the chairs for Harry to sit while he sat in the one kittycornered to it. It was obvious Neville was using the time to
think about both his feelings and his response.
Finally, he sighed and said, "I'm aware." A few moments
later, he gave an almost imperceptible shrug and said, "I
don't know how I feel about that, to be honest."
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Chapter 544
"I hear ya," said Harry. "However, it's something you need
to deal with soon."
Neville gave a nod back.
Harry added, "However, I also wanted to talk to you about
the betrothal between Justin and Tracey, plus 'rumour' of a
CBA between Justin and another."
"CeeCee," Neville immediately said.
"Yup," he agreed. "That's what appears likely."
At the meeting of the Alliance only two days previous,
Lady Marchbanks and Heathcliff Davis jointly 'officially'
announced the betrothal of Justin and Tracey. Lady
Marchbanks also announced a CBA for Justin was also in
the negotiation phase.
"Will CeeCee be transferring to Hogwarts?" asked Neville.
"Yes," he replied. "We figured it out when she picked up
such a large package of robes from Madam Malkins."
Neville gave a nod and said, "The Lords' Quarters are
going to be a little busier from now on. We're going to
have to be a bit more secure with Gibberd and Whitehead
also taking Quarters."
Marchbanks had informed them that Ross Gibberd, the
new Heir Apparent Gibberd, and Phylis Whitehead, a pair
of Slytherins who would be in their seventh year this year,
had become betrothed during the summer and would also
be taking accommodation in the Lords' Quarters this year.
"Yeah," nodded Harry. "However, I've not noticed either of
them being a problem in the past. I don't think either is
Death Eater spawn."
"Me neither," said Neville. "However, I'm not willing to take
any chances."
"I hear ya," said Harry.
That afternoon, the Potter four, less Hermione, moved to
Greengrass Manor for the week and a half. It had been
planned in plenty of time, well before they even went to
France.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The August sitting of the Wizengamot saw the 'second'
reading of the new Misuse of Muggle Items Bill. Harry had
read the thing right through over the previous month and
was in awe of how well it was written. To him, it was clear
people who weren't daft morons had written it and
managed to block anyone who was daft from slipping in
some stupid changes to it.
An owl to Bones, questioning her on who had written it,
had the answer back the next day. 'For the most part, a
team of muggleborns who worked under Arthur Weasley.'
Harry was surprised by that. It meant people were, in his
opinion, starting to think.
Other than a couple of amendments, tabled by Members
and accepted as questions before being lost based on a
very logical and clearly prepared rebuttal each, the Bill
was passed and became the new Statute. Harry was quite
surprised by how smoothly it passed into law. He never
spoke either for it or against it, as many clearly thought he
might based on the number of pointed looks he received
from many of the other Members.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After the otherwise boring Wizengamot session, the
following day was the scheduled release of Augusta
Longbottom from Azkaban.
Harry had asked his friend if he wanted to spend the day
with him, but Neville begged off. "I'll be spending it with
Han and Suze, Harry."
Harry gave a nod back, grinned and said, "Better company
than me, at any rate." Then waggled his eyebrows.
In days not that long past, Neville would have blushed like
crazy being told that. However, those days were now
gone. Instead, he only gave the bare hint of slight
colouring of his cheeks as he grinned back and firmly
stated, "Damned straight!"
Harry laughed back.
So, instead of spending the Wednesday keeping Neville
distracted - or, at least busy with other matters - his two
girls were doing that for him.
When he raised the matter with Daphne and Fleur -
Hermione was, once again, spending the day 'training' to
be a Lady of a Noble House - Fleur said, "Well, yes.
'Annah and Sue plan to not let him have much time out of
'is bed."
Daphne merely cocked an eyebrow and smirked at Fleur's
bold statement, while Harry looked quite shocked. "Fleur!"
he exclaimed.
"Do not be a prude, 'Arry," she shot back. "It is a brilliant
idea, non?"
"Well, yes," he spluttered. "But, there is no need to be
coarse about it."
All she said back was, "Veela, 'Arry."
He mock-scowled a little and said, "I think you attribute too
much to being Veela."
She just smirked back, but didn't disagree.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The next couple of weeks of their time back in magical
Britain before returning to Hogwarts had the girls often
disappear with Narcissa into the odd 'secret' meeting,
including while they were at Greengrass Manor. They
even accompanied her to visits to other homes. He also
found out Tracey occasionally joined them, as did Susan
and Hannah.
However, none of the girls would talk about what those
meetings were about. All he'd get on the rare occasion he
asked, was, "Secret womens' business, Harry." And
something along the lines of, "And, no, I'm not being
flippant about that. This truly is secret to us ladies... for
now."
The only thing he learned about it was the name of the
club the girls were all now members of, The Tapestry
Circle. And he only learned that because, when they'd
leave, they would all be wearing the same little lapel pin. It
had the letters 'TC' superimposed in gold over a white,
what he later found out was called, 'tea' rose. He had no
idea that, in the language of flowers, the tea rose signified
'I will always remember you', while the rose colour
signified 'innocence'.
Instead, Harry spent quite a bit of time talking to both adult
Greengrasses and Astoria. The young girl, only two years
younger than her 'big' sister, had quite the wicked sense of
humour. It hadn't taken her very long to learn that being
ribald around Harry had the young man constantly
blushing. And proved to highly amuse the girl.
On the occasions she'd managed to corner Harry
somewhere alone, she'd ask him the most personal of
questions; all with the view of making the boy blush. This,
in turn, had her anywhere from giggling at his reaction, to
outright laughing herself silly.
Harry knew he could have put a stop to it by telling her
mother, Adeline, what she'd been saying or did. But he just
wasn't that mean and knew the girl was only having fun,
even if it was at his expense. No harm, no foul.
For the last week and a half of their break, Hermione's
lessons were ended. The two ladies, Alice and Adeline,
decided that Hermione needed the time to spend with her
'man' and his other ladies.
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Chapter 545
Concerned and not a little worried, Harry asked, "Why? Do
they think I'm neglecting you? Am I neglecting you?"
She smiled and replied, "No, Harry. They don't know how
much you're not neglecting me. I've not shared that
information with them."
Relieved, he sighed and said, "Good. But, if I do, you'll let
me know; right?"
"Of course," she grinned, before kissing his cheek.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The day before they were due to return to Hogwarts, the
Tuesday, it was announced within the Alliance that
CeeCee had entered into a Concubine Bond Agreement
with Justin Finch-Fletchley. It would be announced in the
Daily Prophet two days later, on the Second.
No one in the group was all that surprised; especially not
the 'Potter' girls.
Later, Harry found out it was a subject raised within the
Tapestry Circle and the girls were not permitted to talk
about it until it was 'publicly' announced, or otherwise
announced by Marchbanks, Sirius and Narcissa.
Also formally made concrete was that CeeCee became
the joint magical ward of both Narcissa and Sirius. It was
felt that, with both being magical guardians, neither could
be individually forced to scrap the CBA and force CeeCee
into another of a dark family's choosing. It was an added
level of protection.
Further, it was confirmed by both Headmistress Lady
Marchbanks and Sirius that CeeCee would be moving into
the Lords' Quarters with Justin and Tracey. They would
have the old Potter apartment, 'Apartment 9', so they'd be
directly across the corridor from the Longbottom
Apartment.
The two Slytherins would be in Justin's old apartment,
'Apartment 3'. It was a two bedroom apartment; as were
Apartments 4, 5, and 6. Apartments 1 and 2 were single
bedroom apartments. They were accommodated there so
there was at least some level of separation from the rooms
of the 'Heirs' at the end of the corridor.
They also learned that Ron Weasley would be returning to
Hogwarts for his OWL year. While it somewhat annoyed
Harry, it had apparently been made clear to the boy that
he would be monitored. If he set a foot out of line he'd be
expelled, rather than just be 'allowed' to withdraw. And that
it had also been made clear to him by his father to 'stay
away from Potter and his group' anywhere bar classes.
Again, if he didn't, he could easily find himself expelled.
This was confirmed by a letter from the twins who wrote to
beg Harry not to just 'kill the twit' when he stepped out of
line; but to, instead, immediately report it to a professor in
the first instance. It appeared the twins did not believe
Ron would manage to make it right through the one year
before being expelled by confronting Harry, let alone the
three still to go.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Over at The Burrow, Ron had, yet again, suffered through
his mother firmly telling him that his behaviour would be
closely monitored and to stay away from 'Harry and his
ladies'. Ron had his newly born occlumency barriers up
full, so he didn't express any disdain or other 'negative'
emotion on his face at what he was being told. He just
dutifully answered, 'Yes, Mum,' in all the right places.
Inside, though, he was looking forward to what would be
his confrontation with 'Potter and his whores'. He had read
the books he'd been given by Nott and they'd included
quite a lot of dark curses and the like. While there were
many he could barely stomach even reading about, he
was actually looking forward to casting one or two of the
others at Potter.
Of course, he wasn't that much of an idiot he didn't know
he had no hope of facing Potter in a one-on-one duel or
fair fight. No, he'd take him from behind. All he had to do
was wait for his moment.
He'd be carefully watching Potter to see what classes he
had and when. And when he'd be in a spot where he was
not accompanied by another. He also knew to take at least
three weeks to study, so Potter would let his guard down
somewhat. One of the books said it was a very good idea
to delay at least that long, preferably longer, so he would.
Ron's actual problem was that he no idea that the wards
at the school had been adjusted. Changes included a
deactivated ward to monitor and record the use of dark
magic had been reactivated; a combined monitoring and
notification ward for under-aged magic used outside of
dormitories, the Great Hall and classrooms had been
installed; or that all such wards were now tied in to a
location charm tied in to a location map held by the
Headmistress with copies held by the other professors.
He'd not been at the school long enough the previous
school year to see it put into effect; and neither the twins
or Ginny had told him about them.
Surprising the other Weasleys still living at The Burrow,
Ron had actually packed on the afternoon before the first
of September. And he'd even done it before his mother
had, for the first time, told the four going to Hogwarts that
they should make a start on doing so.
He'd simply and calmly said, "I've packed already, Mum."
That had Molly, the twins and Ginny, the only ones in The
Burrow at that time, all shocked silent.
The first to react, one of the twins said, "Well. If Ron's
managed to get himself packed so early; we guess we'd
better, too."
"Indeed," said the other, before both headed upstairs.
Ginny gave a soft sigh before she looked to her mother
and said, "I guess I better go pack too, then."
Molly was both shocked and amazed.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The first of September, 1995, was a Wednesday, a work
day. Therefore, there was an expectation of not as many
adults on platform 9¾.
That did not, however, worry the Heirs or their families.
With the exception of only a few of the adults, the rest
were either on break or were taking the day off work. The
Heirs also planned to be early to the platform, anyway.
The adults not accompanying the Heirs due to work
commitments were the Granger parents, Madam Bones,
Eugene Abbott and Heathcliff Davis. Even the entire
Wilkins family were coming to see CeeCee off for her first
time to Hogwarts.
The Wilkins family, except CeeCee, would be returning to
Australia on the Saturday only a few days later. They had
lives they had to get back to. However, Sirius had secretly
arranged to have their home warded as best he could
while still meeting Australasian magical law. He was
feeling somewhat guilty about putting them at risk; even
though he truly had not. And, copying Harry's idea for the
Grangers, they were also provided magically pre-charged
emergency portkeys each, in case they were attacked in
their home.
It was also felt that, once the CBA between CeeCee and
Justin became public knowledge, the risk to them would
be greatly reduced.
CeeCee would, on the breaks, take an International
Portkey to and from Perth so she could spend them with
her adoptive family.
As a gift for her to 'welcome her to the family', Harry had
Dobby go to Diagon to purchase for her a Ladies'
Travelling Trunk, similar to the one he bought for Daphne.
That way, she'd be able to take much more than the
normal trunk would hold. She actually did need at least a
trunk with space expansion charms, due to how much
she'd be taking with her to the school. So the gift was very
welcome.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Once on the platform a little after 10.00am, Harry
immediately boarded the train and 'secured' two
compartments, side by side. At now ten of their number,
eleven if they would be including Ernie MacMillan, their
group had now exceeded their ability to all fit into one
compartment.
Fleur, not being a student any longer, offered to not ride
the Express and just apparate direct to the school just as
the train was due to arrive at Hogsmeade. However Harry
could see that, while she made the offer, she really wanted
to join the others for the ride.
Harry approached Sirius and asked him, "What're the
chances you'd be able to link two compartments together
for us through Transfiguration?"
Surprised, Sirius thought about it for a moment before he
muttered, "No idea. Let's go find out." Then he boarded
the train.
Harry followed him onboard and showed him which two
compartments he'd 'saved'.
In one compartment, looking at the bench and wall
between the two, Sirius raised his wand and tried to see if
he could create a doorway between the two, hard up
against the outside wall and between the windows.
Surprisingly, considering the amount of magic already
employed upon the train carriages, he could do it. They
then had a narrow doorway, without an actual door,
between the two. It just shortened one bench seat in each
compartment; the two that backed one another from each.
"Hunh!" he exclaimed. Even he was surprised. "I have no
idea how long that's going to hold before it reverts, but I'm
hopeful it'll make it all the way to Hogsmeade for you."
Pleased, Harry grinned to his godfather and said, "Thanks,
Padfoot. I hope it will, too."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 546
The last of their party to arrive on the platform at Kings
Cross was Justin. The Finch-Fletchleys were brought
direct to the platform from their home in Bedford by Raggy
via house elf apparation. The two adult Finch-Fletchley's
would be returned to their castle home the same way.
Then, once the train reached Hogsmeade, Raggy would
join Justin at the school.
Tracey almost immediately glommed onto him as soon as
he appeared. Justin's mother seemed amused by it.
Because he wasn't there early, it was left to Harry and
Neville to be the gentlemen to carry on and load into the
overhead racks all seven other trunks, besides their own.
Both boys were just glad that all the trunks now had
featherweight charms on them, so they weren't too heavy
to move; just awkward. While the trunks might now be
light, they still had the same mass. That meant, while
moving them, they felt as if they were being pushed from
behind, no matter the direction in which they were moved.
And that movement took a fair bit of concentration to
counteract.
However, at any rate it didn't take that long. And all nine
spread across both 'interconnected' compartments fairly
evenly. With part of two of the benches removed to allow
the doorway to exist, seating was restricted to six or seven
in each compartment. Still, it was enough. And meant no
one had to sit on someone else's lap for the trip.
Because CeeCee wouldn't be starting as a first year, but
as a third year, she did not have the option of hunting
down others wearing non-House school robes, showing
they were in the same year as her, to make friends with
before they arrived at the school. Besides, she really didn't
want to do that, anyway. She want and chose to sit with
them.
That was a decision Harry was very much in support of as
it meant he and the others would be in a better position to
protect her while on the train.
After saying goodbye to family remaining on the platform,
just before 11.00am the group boarded and found their
seats in the twin compartments.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Once the train left the platform and was on its way, the ten
began to talk about what they'd been up to over the past
couple of weeks and what they thought the year coming
would be like.
It was during this early part of the trip Harry learned that
CeeCee had chosen Arithmancy and Ancient Runes as
her electives. And also learned he was the only one of the
Potter four who did not know that.
"Something you lot talked with her about during one of
your girls' talk sessions?" he asked.
"Yes," they replied, and didn't elucidate.
During the last few days and on their return to the Black
Townhouse from Greengrass Manor, CeeCee and Sarah
had joined the girls in their sessions, after Dorothy had
told them not to talk about specifics about sex. As far as
Dorothy was concerned, just because CeeCee was now a
teenager, did not mean she got to talk about sex acts.
He did know, though, that CeeCee had been sat down by
both her mothers, adopted and by blood, and given 'The
Talk'. And Narcissa went further with specific potions she
should now begin to take. Though Dorothy, apparently,
was against it, Narcissa assured her that Ne Gravidas
would be strongly recommended by the school medi-
wizard... and why. Reluctantly, Dorothy acceded, but also
demanded Stephen not be informed.
Narcissa had smiled back and replied, "You'd be surprised
how many mothers make that exact same demand relating
to their daughters regarding their own husbands."
Harry knew of it because his three had been brought into
the discussion to speak with both Dorothy and CeeCee
about it, together with their own experiences relating to
why the potion was important. Then they told him the
'highlights' that wouldn't embarrass him. He didn't know
anything about, for example, talks regarding Maiden's
Relief, books the boys read to try and get into a girl's
knickers, spells and charms to help a witch protect her
modesty, that sort of thing.
Of course, with the exception of the return trip only a
couple months earlier, the train ride was unusual as they
did not get the somewhat obligatory visit from the now late
Draco Malfoy and they did not have the grizzling and
moaning of Ron in the compartment with them. Harry was
worried the latter boy would immediately seek him out.
However, he was thankful he did not.
The one visitor they did receive, then bid stay, was Ernie
MacMillan. He was wary when he approached and asked
to speak with them, but relaxed after a while when he was
given no cold shoulder.
However, he did remain somewhat quiet and rarely spoke
except when directly asked a question. He did, though,
ask how everyone's holiday went and hoped they were
looking forward to another year at Hogwarts.
Other visitors were a couple of female Slytherins who
were checking to see if CeeCee was onboard. And they
weren't half-obvious about doing so.
As soon as they left, Harry said, "By the time we reach
Hogwarts, every student at the school of a dark family will
know CeeCee's attending this year."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 547
That then led into Harry firmly telling CeeCee,
"Remember: We're here for you. Any problems... and I do
mean any... come and find one of us."
Neville piped up and said, "That includes one of us, too."
Over the past couple of days, using his still-somewhatbroken Marauders' Map - which had Sirius and Remus
scratching their heads trying to figure out why it no longer
worked - Harry had diligently worked on drawing up a map
of the castle that showed the path from the grand
staircase to the Lords' Quarters on the fifth floor, the
classrooms and the offices of staff. He also included the
apartment numbers of the three groups of Alliance heirs,
plus the one occupied by the two seventh year Slytherins.
Then presented it to her, in front of her parents, Sirius,
Remus and Narcissa, explaining what it was.
"Keep that on you at all times," said her mother, to which
the other adults all agreed.
A little surprising to Harry, the temporary door between the
two compartments remained for the entirety of the trip. As
they disembarked and just so it wouldn't annoy whoever
would be coming along to inspect the train later, he
overpowered a Finite at the doorway, which reverted it
back to 'wall with bench seating'.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Once at Hogsmeade, Harry was set to lead CeeCee to
Hagrid for the traditional crossing of the lake in those little
boats, but was corrected by Hermione.
"She travels on the coaches with us, Harry," she said.
"Headmistress Lady Marchbanks couldn't see the point of
her arriving by the boats."
With only a slight hesitation, he gave a nod and led the
way to the thestral-drawn carriages. Even then, they had
to split into two groups again.
When they arrived, it was to see Professor Goodstone
keeping an eye on things in the entrance hall and outside
at the disembarkation point. Harry led CeeCee directly to
him and introduced the Professor to her.
After giving her a relaxed and warm greeting, the
professor said, "You'd best stay here with me, then, Miss
Malfoy; or, do you prefer Miss Wilkins?"
Surprised, CeeCee quietly replied, "Miss Wilkins, if it's not
too much trouble, Sir."
"Not at all," he smiled. Then he turned to Harry and said, "I
have her from here, Lord Potter. She'll be safe with me."
"Thank you, Professor," replied Harry, with a slight head
nod. Then turned to smile at CeeCee. "You'll be safe with
Professor Goodstone. The only thing wrong with him is
he's a fan of Quidditch."
"Lord Potter!" barked the amused and semi-affronted
professor. "Five points from Gryffindor for your
besmirching of our noble sport!"
He grinned back as CeeCee blushed and snickered in
amused embarrassment.
However, he'd accomplished what he wanted; calming
CeeCee down a little. And he could see the Professor
knew that from the slight curling up of his lips in a
suppressed grin.
He gave a courtly bow to both, together, and said, "Yes,
Professor." And made his way inside.
As he walked to the doors of the Great Hall, he heard the
professor say, "I certainly hope Lord Potter has not
poisoned your mind against Quidditch, Miss Wilkins. That
would be a true crime."
Harry didn't hear her reply, as he was then too far away
and she spoke too softly for him to hear it.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Hermione and Neville saved him a seat at the Gryffindor
table. When he looked about for Fleur, he could see her
sitting at the head table, but right out at the end, even
outside of Hagrid.
He gave her a nod and blew her a kiss as he was sitting.
"Why's Fleur sitting at the head table?" he asked the two.
"The Headmistress asked her to sit there for the Opening
Feast. She'll be able to join us for all other meals, though,"
replied Hermione. "It's something about an issue with the
school rules and sitting for the Opening Feast."
"We have to sit at our own House tables," said Harry.
"And, as she's not a student any more, plus she'd be
sitting at Ravenclaw if she was, I guess it makes sense for
her to sit up there."
"Makes sense," echoed Neville.
Of course, Harry wasn't with the other boys in his year, as
he didn't want to sit anywhere near Ron. Hermione and
Neville knew that and had, instead, chosen to sit at the
end of the table closest to the head end, while still leaving
room for about a dozen new Firsties.
Looking around, Harry noticed that Ron was sitting back
with Seamus and Dean, while Ginny was sitting with the
girls in her own year. He also noticed Dean was wearing
the boys' fifth year prefect badge.
That caused him to give a little start in surprise. He'd
completely forgotten prefects would be chosen from their
year, this year. Looking to Hermione, he looked to see if
she was surprising him by not telling him in advance she'd
made prefect. However, she wasn't wearing the badge.
"Hermione, I'm sorry," he softly said to her.
Surprised, she asked, "Whatever for?"
"You're not the new fifth year Gryffindor female prefect,"
he sadly said.
"Oh," she smiled. "No, I'm not. I suggested Sophie Roper
for the position."
"Why?" he asked.
"Why not me?" she asked back. When he nodded she
replied, "Because we no longer live in the Gryffindor
dorms. It wouldn't be fair for me to be the prefect if I'm
rarely, if ever, in the dorms of an evening."
When he turned to see the quiet Miss Roper, he could
then see the slight glint of the bronze badge on her robe
lapel.
"Still..." he sighed. "It was your dream to go on to be Head
Girl."
"Dreams change, Harry," she said. "Besides, the Head
Boy and Girl are not always selected from the current crop
of prefects. I believe your father was one such. Moony
was the current Gryffindor prefect for the boys at the time,
wasn't he?"
Surprised he hadn't remembered that, he said, "You're
right. I forgot that."
She just tapped him on the back of the hand and said,
"Besides, I got something a lot better than a shiny metal
badge. I got you."
That had him smiling back.
Once the new Firsties, plus CeeCee, were led in and
arranged before the head table, the Hat launched into its
song. This one was all uplifting and joyous about the
defeat of 'both' Dark Lords the previous year. That had
quite a few wondering what he meant by both, as there
were many who were unaware Dumbledore had 'officially'
been outed in the press as a Dark Lord, though the
Ministry still refused to confirm that.
This year was a 'bumper crop' of Firsties, with about
fourteen for each House being sorted. Finally, CeeCee
was called forth by the Deputy Headmaster. As per
tradition, the Deputy was handling the Sort.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 548
With no hesitation he declared, "This year, we have a new
student transferring in to third year. She is under a
relationship agreement with one of our existing fifth year
students. Wilkins, Charlotte!"
As CeeCee, last to be Sorted, smiled and walked forward
to sit on the stool as Goodstone held the Hat aloft, Harry
heard quite a bit of surprised mumbling from the students,
together with more annoyed grumbling coming from the
Slytherin table. That drew a very pointed cough and scowl
from Professor Grimfield, who sat almost closest to the
Slytherin table on the head table.
A few looks in her direction from the Slytherins and the
table settled again.
CeeCee's Sort went on for a little while and, looking
closer, Harry could see she was sitting rigid with a firm
jaw. He knew that look. She was having a full on argument
with the Hat.
"She's arguing with it," Hermione muttered, who had
obviously also seen it.
Before Harry could verbally agree, the Hat called
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Instead, he chuckled and clapped as the Hat was
removed from her head and she turned to look at him with
a wide and happy smile. Again, there was some grumbling
and scoffing coming from the Slytherin table - all ignored.
As she sat closest to the head end, Hermione immediately
turned to the new firstie Gryff' boy sitting next to her and
asked him to slide up a bit. Apparently, he was happy to
do so as a gap quickly appeared between he and
Hermione. Harry remembered him to be the first Firstie
Sorted; Ian, he thought, Abbercrumble or something.
Seeing it, CeeCee made directly for it, as Goodstone
picked the stool up in the hand that wasn't already holding
the Hat and moved them to the side of the Hall.
As Hermione was snickering towards her CeeCee, clearly
relieved, sat in the gap.
That then had the Headmistress rise to her feet.
The only important announcement, Harry thought, was
that there was no change to the teaching staff. That, if
nothing else, convinced him the curse on the DADA
position was now gone.
There were also no announcements about something
being life threatening in some part of the castle,
dementors circling the school, escaped convicts, life
threatening blood-sport Tournaments, or similar. He was
quite relieved.
Instead, they had the usual announcements about banned
items, no casting of magic in the corridors or anywhere
else outside of previously sanctioned areas within the
school, that sort of thing.
But one announcement did perk Harry up. Filch was gone.
Officially, it sounded like he'd chosen to retire. However,
he knew Marchbanks despised the man; not because he
was a squib, but because he was such a bitter and twisted
old man who tried to take his bitterness out on the
students every chance he got. He would not be replaced;
instead, one of the senior house elves would 'officially'
become senior caretaker.
'Woohoo!' he thought. 'No more getting viciously jabbed by
that damned Probity Probe of his, whenever they returned
from a Hogsmeade weekend.'
Once the food appeared on the table and he'd made a
start on filling a decent plate for dinner, he leaned around
Hermione and asked CeeCee, "Okay, 'fess up. Where'd
the Hat want to Sort you? Not Slytherin, I hope?"
She gave a little blush and replied, "Ravenclaw, actually. It
wanted to Sort me into Slytherin; however it felt Sorting
me into that House, at the moment, would have been too
dangerous for me. That's why it was going to Sort me into
Ravenclaw."
He smirked and said, "And you used it's own argument
that, if it wasn't going to Sort you into Slytherin due to the
danger, it may as well Sort you into Gryffindor?"
"Yes," she smiled.
He laughed and said, "As a Ravenclaw would say, 'Well
reasoned, Miss Wilkins'."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
When the Feast wrapped up, the only announcement was
a reminder to be down for breakfast and finished before
8.30am. That would be when the class schedules would
be handed out.
When everyone stood, both Thomas and Roper came
down to collect all the Firsties
Roper looked to CeeCee and said, "I'll be escorting you
up, too; since you're new."
Hermione quickly said, "Actually, Sophie; no."
When Roper turned a slight frown on her, Hermione
quickly explained. "CeeCee... Miss Wilkins... will be in the
Lords' Quarters. She's in a relationship agreement with
Lord Finch-Fletchley... Justin Finch-Fletchley of Hufflepuff.
Same year as us."
"Another one?" blurted Thomas.
Unknown to them, Justin had already walked across and
was standing a little back from Roper. "Which is why I've
come over," he smoothly said.
Surprised, Roper turned to looked at him for a moment
before she stepped a little out of the way and said, "Oh.
Sorry. I didn't know."
"No reason you should have," smiled Hermione.
Physically shaking her confusion off, Roper gave
Hermione a nod and turned back to the Firsties "Alright,
you lot. Follow me if you want to find your beds for
tonight." Then indicated Dean and said, "Dean will be
following so we don't lose any of you on the way. Come
along."
With the Firsties following Roper with Thomas bringing up
the rear, the dozen plus all headed for the doors.
Once they were clear, Justin smiled and said to Hermione,
"Thank you, for that."
Hermione almost unconsciously replied, "You're welcome."
It was the approach of both Daphne and Tracey, plus
Susan and Hannah, that had her distracted. She didn't
even notice they were joined by Fleur.
Looking about, Harry asked, "Anyone missing?"
When they all looked about, Hermione was the first to
reply. "No. We're all here."
With his own ladies joining him, Neville said, "Then, let's
go."
The group of ten were about to leave when Professor
Sprout stopped by. To Justin she asked, "You're aware
you're now in Apartment 9, Mister Finch-Fletchley?"
"Yes, Professor," he smiled.
"Remember how to add others to your apartment?" she
asked.
"I think so, Professor," he replied.
"We'll help him," said Harry. "Have no fear, Professor."
She smiled back at Harry and said, "Thank you, Lord
Potter." And made her way off again.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Keying the new 'Finch-Fletchley' apartment with
permissions for Justin, Tracey and CeeCee was almost
old hat for Harry. As well as his own two apartments, he'd
also helped Neville with his.
They were just about to head in when a seventh year male
Slytherin, who had to be Ross Gibberd as there were only
he and a seventh year female Slytherin who were allowed
into the Lords' Quarters corridor, almost tentatively
approached and said, "Lord Potter."
"Heir Gibberd, right?" asked Harry.
"Indeed," the boy gave a nod. "I wonder if I may trouble
you―"
"You've not been shown how to key the door to your
apartment and ask of me my assistance?"
Showing a little relief, the older boy again said, "Indeed."
Harry gave a nod and said, "Not a problem." And followed
the boy back up the corridor. The others all hung back and
had his back just through watching.
As they walked up, he said, "Your Head of House should
have been up to show you how to do this. I'd have words
with them tomorrow, if I was you."
As they'd already reached the door, the other boy
remained silent, as did the girl, who only stepped aside to
allow Harry to approach the door.
Harry gave her a nod before turning back to Gibberd and
stepped him through how to 'claim' the apartment and
provide access to his bonded.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 549
Once he was done, he said, "That's all there is to it. You
just need to warn any of your friends not to try and open
the door from this side if they're not keyed in. If they do,
they'll be stunned and the professors will be immediately
informed via the wards."
"What about charms, such as Alohomora?" asked his lady,
Phylis Whitehead.
"None will work," he replied. "You must use your hand to
turn the knob. It's part of the magic."
Smiling to her, he said, "Do not worry, Miss Whitehead. No
one, except your Head of House, the Deputy Head and
the Headmistress can enter without you letting them in.
Even then, they can only enter by asking the castle itself
for access. And, I've been assured such will not be
granted except in emergency. That feature is built into the
very foundations of the wards of the school for privacy and
security purposes.
"Further, as I did I believe you'll logically surmise that the
door is locked to magical signatures. It now has a... 'taste'
of your two magical signatures, so opens to your touch.
However, anyone who tries to open it that doesn't have
your magical signature, no matter what charm or curse
they attempt, will find themselves waking up on the floor
out here with a professor or two frowning down at them."
Clearly relieved, the girl smiled back and said, "Thank
you."
"You're welcome," he said.
When it was clear they had no further questions, he said,
"Well, I'll leave you to it to explore your new apartment and
sort out matters. Good night."
"Good night, Lord Potter," they both said.
As Harry turned to walk back up the corridor, he had no
problem turning his back to them, as he knew the others
had his back if there was the slimmest of chances they'd
risk hexing him.
They didn't and he was extremely sure they wouldn't
anyway. He saw no hint of ire directed towards him in
either of their expressions or body language for the entire
time he was with them.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The next morning the Potter four were all up and dressed,
ready to go, at just after 7.30am. This time, they beat the
Longbottoms to knocking on doors. And this time they also
included the Finch-Fletchleys.
Harry went and knocked on the door of the Longbottoms
while Hermione and Daphne went to the Finch-Fletchley
apartment. They realised they must have been making a
little too much noise when Gibberd stuck his head out the
door of the Gibberd apartment to see what the ruckus
was.
"Sorry!" called Hermione, noticing. "Just getting our group
up and moving."
Gibberd gave a nod back and withdrew.
As Neville and his two and Justin and his now two exited
their apartments, Gibberd and Whitehead exited their own.
"Mind if we join you on the walk down?" he asked.
"Not at all," replied Harry.
As they all walked out of the Quarters, Harry hung back a
little to talk to Gibberd. As they walked he quietly asked, "I
hope I didn't come off as rude, last night. I know you're at
least Heir Apparent, but don't know if you've actually taken
up your Lordship. Further, I do not know the... status... of
the relationship between you and your lady."
Gibberd looked at him in surprise before he replied, "You
did not give offence." He hesitated for a moment before he
explained, "I am Heir Apparent of the Noble and Ancient
House of Gibberd, as you clearly knew. Phylis is my
betrothed. Our handfasting is scheduled for the
forthcoming Yule break."
As they walked, Harry said, "So, the correct form of
address for her is still Miss Whitehead?"
Gibberd nodded back.
Harry said, "Good to know. Thank you. I'll make sure the
others all know, too."
Gibberd gave a nod back and Harry rejoined the others
walking a little ahead.
As he joined them, Neville sidled over and quietly said,
"Aren't you afraid one of them will try to hex us in the
back?"
"Nope," he replied. "If they try anything in the corridors,
the wards will instantly detect it and record it in the ward
book in the Headmistress's office. She made that quite
clear, again, last night. Both of them are of age and
neither of them is stupid."
Relaxing a bit, Neville nodded back.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
As it was a first day back and a new year at the school,
the group decided to make it easier on the Heads of
Houses and had breakfast at their own tables. That way,
they'd be there for when class schedules were handed
out. They'd also decided to sit at the Hufflepuff table for
lunch, as it was the House least likely to get annoyed by it
upon first seeing it again; or seeing it for the first time,
when it came to the Firsties. No longer a student, Fleur sat
with him at Gryffindor. She was dressed in British quality
casual in muted tones so her dress didn't stand out too
much.
Besides, Harry didn't want to risk getting confronted by
Weasley again for having now two Slytherins, Daphne and
Tracey, sitting with him at the Gryffindor table; especially
not for lunch and not so soon. However, dinner that night
was a good possibility.
When the schedules were distributed, Harry took one look
at his and almost had a panic attack.
"Gahhh!" he exclaimed on first seeing it. Then he dropped
his head to the table and moaned.
Hermione looked pleased.
As he looked almost completely out of it and wasn't
responding to her concerns, Fleur simply reached over
and plucked Harry's out of his fingers. A moment later, she
quietly muttered, "Merde!"
'Seven class periods, now," he moaned. "Seven! They're
trying to kill us!"
He never noticed Fleur had turned to one of the Firsties
and asked to look at their timetable for a moment.
She handed it back and said, "The First Years still have
only six periods a day."
One of the second years sitting on the other side of Harry
said, "My older brother told me the first through fourth
years all still have six class periods a day, while the fifth
through seventh now all have seven. I guess you're fifth
years then, huh."
"What's the problem, Harry?" asked Hermione.
"Exhaustion!" he called. "And we haven't even started
yet!"
With a smirk, Fleur simply handed Harry's schedule to the
other girl.
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---------------
Chapter 550
A moment later, she snickered and said, "Oh, my. Yours is
about on par with my own."
"And you don't have the added pressure of issues related
to the upkeep of a Noble and Most Ancient House," he
whined.
Harry's schedule had all bar three class slots filled. The
only three unfilled were first thing Wednesdays and
Thursdays and the one immediately after morning tea on
Fridays. Plus, he also had Astronomy on Wednesday
nights - or, rather, early Thursday mornings. No longer did
their schedules have both first and second periods clear
the next morning after Astronomy. Now, it was only the
first.
Finally lifting his head with a sigh, he accepted his offered
schedule back and said, "I'm going to have to drop Muggle
Studies again. Otherwise, I simply won't have the time to
get everything done I need to get done."
"If you must," said Hermione. "However, I hope you also
decide to self-study it. At least that way you still have the
option to sit the OWL for it at the end of the year."
With another sigh, he checked the schedule over again
and silently nodded.
Four class periods a week for Charms, DADA, Herbology,
Potions and Transfiguration; and three a week for History,
CoMC, Ancient Runes and Muggle Studies. Thank God
there was still only the single for Astronomy. It was no
wonder they were now on a seven class periods a day
schedule.
If he dropped Muggle Studies that gave him an extra
vacant slot on Wednesdays and two on Fridays, thereby
doubling his vacant slots to six. As the two on Fridays
were also the first two periods, it meant his Friday
mornings were now clear until the fourth period of Ancient
Runes immediately before lunch. However, both Monday
and Tuesday would remain full, with all seven slots
occupied with classes. That would given him six slots to
accomplish the work related to both the Wizengamot and
his estates.
'Yeah, I can do this,' he mentally declared.
After another think through it, he verbally added, "Yeah, I
have to drop Muggle Studies."
Hermione looked like she was about to disagree, but then
noticed his expression and sadly nodded. "But, you're still
going to study it independently, right?"
"Yes," he replied. "You know, though, that I'd pass even if I
didn't, yeah? The study will just see me hopefully gain an
'O-plus' in the subject. Or, at least an 'O'."
She shrugged and said, "I do not doubt it."
As it was a Thursday, Harry didn't have a class for the first
period. It then meant he had time to finish his breakfast
before returning to the apartment to collect what he'd need
for the day: CoMC with the Hufflepuffs, for second period;
Potions with the Ravenclaws, for periods three and four
between morning tea and lunch; History, one period with
the Hufflepuffs again immediately after lunch at fifth
period; and a double of Charms with the Slytherins to
finish up the day - six of seven class periods. And this
would follow a late night on the Astronomy tower with the
Ravenclaws.
Hermione also didn't have a class for first period; but
Daphne, who had come over to show her own, did.
However, Fleur offered to escort her and CeeCee to their
first classes for the day. An offer gratefully accepted.
Once the mail came in and Harry received his copy of the
Daily Prophet, he was unsurprised to see one of the
articles being on CeeCee attending Hogwarts. It also
included both her names and that she preferred to be call
CeeCee - as it was a nickname that applied to both her
adopted and birth names, together.
Recently, some overly-officious flunky in the Ministry had
tried to force her to use only her birth name. However
records from magical Australasia, showing her name to be
registered with them as Charlotte Claire Wilkins, put paid
to that. As she was also listed as a citizen of magical
Australasia, not magical Britain, Ted was easily able to
block it by threatening to take the matter to the
Australasian Ministry. The British Ministry, after first trying
to claim back citizenship of her, caved; especially when
the new Minister, Brunt, was looking to make 'Brownie'
points with Harry and added his authority to the opposing
claim.
That was why, though born a Malfoy, Hogwarts easily
accepted her as 'Miss Charlotte Wilkins' on their student
rolls.
Marchbanks had also assured them that the rolls for each
class would have her name listed under Wilkins, so none
of the Professors would make a mistake by slipping up in
the calling of their rolls for each class.
For now, at least, she was Heiress Apparent Charlotte
Claire Wilkins of the Magical House of Malfoy, magical
ward of Narcissa Venus Malfoy and Sirius Orion Black.
Not being born into that House, Narcissa claimed she had
no problem with it.
The newspaper at least got those points right.
What it didn't have was that Sirius would very soon also
be recognising her as a daughter of the House of Black.
She didn't need the stipend, as Narcissa had already
organised such from the Malfoy fortune as Heiress
Apparent for the Magical House of Malfoy, but the
protection of being a recognised daughter of a Noble and
Most Ancient House wouldn't go astray.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
By lunch, the Heirs fully understood they were in their
OWL year. The assignments had started already. And,
they were already long ones. Two feet on this magical
creature; three feet on the reason and uses for that potion.
Plus, in both classes, they were given a reasonably longwinded talk on just how important that year would be for
them all; as if they didn't already know that.
At lunch and just as planned, the entire group - including
CeeCee, now - congregated and sat at the Hufflepuff
table.
While there and when they knew the Hall would be at it's
busiest, Harry had CeeCee call for Fawkes to put in an
appearance and alight on her shoulder for a while. Harry
had organised with Fawkes in advance for this to happen
and why. Fawkes was all for it, as it meant it would help in
keeping his new human companion safe.
Looking around, Harry saw how busy it was and quietly
said to CeeCee, "CeeCee, now would be a good time to
call Fawkes to join you."
She gave a simple nod back, sat up straight and closed
her eyes for a moment.
Suddenly, there was a flash of phoenix flame in the middle
of the Hall just above the level of the candles and Fawkes
appeared singing a joyous refrain in full flight. While his
arrival startled just about everyone but the Heirs, his
singing of phoenix song almost instantly had everyone
settling down again.
A few moments later, the large but light bird ducked below
the level of the candles through a gap and swooped in to
land on CeeCee's left shoulder. CeeCee was already
laughing about it.
"What's so funny?" asked Hermione, leaning in closer.
"That song you all heard?" she'd asked back. "He was
actually calling everyone not-nice names."
Fawkes apparently thought it was funny because the bird
was clearly phoenix-chuckling along with CeeCee.
After she offered the bird some ham off her plate, which
he happily accepted, Fawkes then took off back into the
air and flamed away again.
Harry grinned at her and said, "Good. That'll set tongues
wagging. It should stop the 'dark witch' accusations before
they properly get a foot hold, if they were going to."
"And it sets in their minds that Malfoy should now be
considered a 'Light' House," said CeeCee. "I remember."
He smiled at her and said, "Good."
As they were waiting outside their next class, Potions with
the Ravenclaws, Harry, Hermione and Neville were all
questioned about why CeeCee had a phoenix.
"Don't ask me why the birdbrain chose her," he snorted.
"When I asked him that exact question he told me to 'mind
my own business'."
"He talks?" asked one of the 'Claws - Turpin - the new fifth
year female prefect for Ravenclaw.
"Yeah," he shrugged. "But, CeeCee had to translate for
me. Even then I knew somewhat of what he'd replied. The
overgrown flaming turkey blew a raspberry at me, of all
things!"
That had Hermione snickering. "He did, too! I was there
and saw it."
The one thing he could trust of the Ravenclaws who
weren't simply gossips, they did not embellish facts when
possible not to. He knew Turpin to be one of those.
Therefore, with Turpin helping to spread the truth and
correct knowledge when the Chinese Whispers effect
started to warp the information between tellings, it did not
take long for it to become known that CeeCee had a
phoenix companion. However, no one was clarifying that
Fawkes was once Dumbledore's companion, or that the
phoenix that was now the companion of CeeCee was
even named Fawkes.
The few people at the school who had spent enough time
around Fawkes while he was Dumbledore's companion,
were already told by Marchbanks not to say anything.
They were Flitwick and Sprout. Hagrid, Sinistra, Burbage,
Babbage and the others very rarely interacted with the
man and hardly ever, even at those times, when Fawkes
was also present. They usually met with him in the
Teacher's Lounge or conference room for the full staff
meetings.
Flitwick and Sprout, as Heads of Houses, met with
Dumbledore in his office often when the phoenix was also
there.
-----------------------