Chapter Twenty Nine - An Unusual Request

Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe belongs to the proverbial Duchess of Magic, JK Rowling, Scholastic, Bloomsbury, Warner Bros and some other high falutin' companies. No matter how much I whine about not owning anything related to the HP universe, other than a few fanfic plots, I do not profess to own - and would never dream of making any money off - JKR's wonderful world... Damn it!

Chapter Twenty Nine - An Unusual Request

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

After a very nice dinner laid out by the Greengrass house elves, Matthias took them and Astoria down to the basement of the main house.

"What we've done is taken your idea and expanded on it, Harry," he explained, leading them over to the wall at one end of the basement.

He reached out and tapped three bricks at about hip height, only for all the bricks in the shape of an archway to quickly fade out as if they weren't there. Behind it was a long, straight tunnel, wide enough for two people to pass one another. If Harry had his bearings right, it headed directly under the outlier house at that end of the main house.

"This is similar to the magic the goblins use for some of the lower-risk vaults," explained Matthias. He then pointed through the arch to where a brick jutted out a little. It was also about hip height off the ground. "From within the tunnel, you just need to lightly press on that brick to open it from that side.

"Here's where we expanded on your idea, Harry. This tunnel runs from this basement, to the basement of the east house. In case of attack, we can travel from one house to the other without going above ground."

He then pressed a brick jutting out slightly at hip height on the inner wall of the basement and waited until the bricks faded back into existence, again. He then pointed to the bricks he pressed to open it. "To open it, you press this one... then, this one... and back to the first one; once each. The first one always has this little engraving on it; and the second one is always two to the right."

The four nodded back so Matthias knew they understood.

"Alright. Let's go see the tunnel to the west house..."

After showing them the same idea was used to get through to the basement of the west house, he then moved to the back wall of the basement where stood a large set of stacks of storage boxes.

"This one's a little different as it should only ever be used when all is lost for Greengrass Farms and we need to evacuate," he said firmly, looking at each of them. Once he was satisfied they all understood, he continued by pulling a small slip of parchment out of his pocket. Handing it to each of them in turn, Harry saw it had written on it, 'The escape tunnel entrances are on the south wall of the basement of the main house and the back wall of the storeroom in the stables'.

Harry felt the knowledge slip into his consciousness. Looking up he saw a blank section of wall suddenly appear between two sets of stacks of boxes against the wall where, before, he only saw one set of stacks.

Once Hermione, who was the last to read the note and look up, was ready Matthias moved forward and pressed on a single brick at hip height between the stacks. Again, bricks faded away to leave an archway.

Turning back to them, he said, "This is quite a hike. Follow me."

He then turned back and walked through the arch, and kept walking.

Astoria and Daphne were quick to follow, and Harry and Hermione brought up the rear. As they walked in a set of magical candles affixed to the wall in sconces began to burn.

The passageway went in about five feet before it 'jinked' to the right and continued in a straight line. Harry did some calculations and determined they were heading direct for the stables.

After about five minutes of walking they came to a ladder affixed to the left hand wall going up. Matthias turned to them and said, "This is the ladder leading down from the storeroom in the stables. Directly above us is a trapdoor you're now able to see when you go into the stables. You are not to use this tunnel as a way to get from the stables to the house or vice versa."

"Linked Fidelius charms?" asked Hermione.

"Yes," he replied. "Don't ask me how they did it because I have no idea."

With a nod back from Hermione, Matthias again turned and headed deeper into the tunnel, which again took a kink to the right before continuing on in a straight line. This time they went for quite a distance; almost double the distance it was to the stables. Eventually they came to a dead end.

Matthias then backed up the passageway about twenty feet and looked at the wall. Eventually, he spotted what he was looking for, and pressed three bricks in sequence - centre, left and right. And, this time, a heavy door appeared.

He pulled it open and held it open for everyone to enter.

Inside, it was a reasonably large room. On one wall appeared four large mirrors with the smokiness Harry related to his communications mirror. At the end of the room was a shelf with about a dozen children's rope quoits; each with a little tag hanging from it. And, opposite the mirrors was a long bench.

"Alright," said Matthias, making sure he had the attention of the four. "Right here we're somewhere under the wooded area out the other side of the stables. Even I don't know the exact location. However, it is outside our house wards but inside our Muggle Repelling wards.

"Anyone know why this room is not at the end of the outside tunnel?" he suddenly asked.

Hermione was the first to respond. "It's so, if someone out to do harm managed to get past the Fidelius and run down the tunnel, they'd end up looking at the end of the tunnel for where everyone went."

"Precisely," said Matthias. He then turned and indicated the quoits. "Those are emergency portkeys. I will not tell you where they take you, but it is to a secure location. Your not knowing where they go is part of the security. They are voice activated and the activation phrase is written on each of the tags you see attached to them."

He then turned to the mirrors and firmly said, "Activate mirrors."

All four mirrors appeared to come online like a CCTV system. One was showing the front of the house from a distance, but not too far away you couldn't see anything. The second showed a similar view of the back of the house. The third showed the stables and the area around it. And the fourth showed the area outside the entrance to the tunnel in the basement.

"This is an idea I got from Hermione's father, Ant, and Harry's godfather, Sirius," explained Matthias. "He called it... See See Teevy..."

'Close enough,' thought Harry.

"As you can see on the mirrors it shows what's going on around the outside of the house and stables. It is not here for you to use it to spy on our guests. It is here to monitor enemy movements if or when we're attacked. If you ever have to come to this room, I expect you to immediately portkey out of here. Understood?"

Once he received agreements from the four, he continued, "This room also has other features related to the security of the Farm. There are specialised war wards you do not need to know about. If necessary Jelly can tell you, but he's been instructed not to tell you unless you are in this room and the Farm is under attack; so, please, do not ask.

"Now, any questions?" he finally asked.

Surprisingly, Hermione asked only one question. "How will we know to head for the basement?"

"There's a clear klaxon sound alarm that the whole Farm will hear if the wards are being attacked," replied Matthias. "If you hear that, head for the basement. If, after no more than three minutes, someone doesn't come down to tell you it's a false alarm, immediately head for here. Do not wait for anyone to join you at the entrance."

Hermione nodded back, as did the other three.

Once he was sure everyone was 'briefed' on what to do and when, Matthias deactivated the mirrors and led them back into the house, then up to the parlour.

"How'd it go?" asked Deece.

"It went well," he replied. "They all now know what's expected of them."

"Good," said Sirius, quite firmly.

"Oh!" said Deece to Harry. "Hedwig arrived a few minutes ago."

Harry smiled back and asked, "She in the owlery?"

"Yes," replied Deece. "I sent her there just before you returned from exploring."

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

After a few days of enjoying the relaxation of Greengrass Farm, the three packed... or, rather, the elves did... and they readied for their few days with the Grangers.

One of the few excursions they had away from the Farm while they stayed was for Matthias to take the family to Diagon Alley. Harry had to go to Twillfit and Tattings to be fitted for Wizengamot robes and hat, while the ladies used the opportunity to see the recently released summer fashions. And, of course, purchase them.

When the robes were brought out and he was wearing them before a mirror, while minor resizing was occurring, he snorted and said, "If it wasn't for the stylised 'W' on the breast I'd look like a bloody choirboy."

"You wouldn't be the first to express that sentiment, Mister Potter," said Mr Tattings from where he was kneeling and working on the bottom hem of the robe.

With an almost plaintive look at Matthias, he asked, "Is it really necessary for me to get bored out of my skull listening to some stuffed shirt prattle on about the thickness of cauldron bottoms?"

Matthias snorted and said, "Yes, Harry. You managed to avoid the first Wizengamot sitting after your award, by claiming you didn't know you were required to attend, and that you had end-of-term exams. You won't be able to escape the next one at the beginning of May. You must attend and be seated. It would be rude of you not to."

Harry just turned back to the mirror and sighed.

Another trip was Harry side-along apparating Matthias to the graveyard in Little Hangleton. There, they quickly located the grave of Tom Riddle Senior. And Matthias quickly switched out the bones within for a stranger's set. Riddle Senior's bones were immediately vanished so they couldn't be found and used.

Looking around, Harry said, "I'm an idiot."

"Why's that?" asked his father-in-law.

"If we'd thought about it, Hermione, Daphne and I could have come here and set up an anti-curse and hex ward."

"Bad idea," Matthias disagreed. "It could have easily been discovered, in advance. And changed where the ritual would take place. Switching out the bones should be more than enough for what you need.

"Besides, you want to be able to portkey out of here with the Cup. The field might make that impossible."

"Nodding, Harry sighed and said, "You're right. I'm just looking for every advantage."

"Understood," said Matthias.

Hermione was, at first, disappointed her parents weren't able to spend time with them at Greengrass Farm. She expected it had to do with her parents currently being quite busy with their dental practice. However, her assumption was wrong.

When Sirius, Matthias and Deece side-along apparated the three directly into the garage of the Granger house, Hermione was surprised. "I thought my parent's house was now warded," she said.

"It is," smirked Deece, who was her apparition partner. "But, we're keyed-in to the wards; as are you three."

"Oh," said Hermione, a little embarrassed she hadn't thought of that.

She immediately turned to the internal door of the garage that led into the house and opened it. "Mum! Dad!" she called. "We're here!"

"Are you really, sweetheart?" called back her father from somewhere within. "I'm not imagining it, am I?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and tried to get her bearings from the sound of her father's voice where they might be. From the similar wording as the last time they'd been in the house, this appeared to be some sort of ritual between father and daughter. A moment later she said, "Kitchen."

She then led all six of them through the door, and a short trip down the back half of the downstairs hallway, before turning and entering through another door.

Harry and Daphne both recognised it as the door Hermione had entered when Madam Pomfrey brought them soon after their bond was initialised.

Walking in, Harry watched as Hermione practically threw herself into her father's arms while her mother sat at the table drinking tea and performing the same eye roll Hermione did while watching the two.

"Room for five more, Cele?" asked Matthias as the rest of them trooped in.

"Of course," she replied. "You'll have to conjure up a few more chairs, though."

That was something Matthias was quick to do, as Sirius lengthened the kitchen table a little to fit four extra chairs.

As soon as Hermione finished her hug with her father, she quickly hopped across to her mother, wrapping her in a hug around the woman's shoulders.

"Go easy on your mother, Hermione," her father cautioned.

"What?" she asked almost tripping over herself releasing her mother. "Why?"

Without a word, her mother just smiled a little before placing her cup back down on its saucer. Then she slowly stood up while placing the palm of one hand on her lower abdomen.

Hermione, Harry and - somewhat - Daphne all goggled at the woman. Hermione especially. There, for all to see was a little 'baby bump'. However, all the adults just grinned at their expressions.

"Y-you're pregnant!" gasped Hermione, completely stunned and staring at her mother's lower belly. "What?... How?... I thought..."

Ant stepped forward and took Hermione by the shoulders from behind. "Sit, love! Before you faint." And guided her into the nearest chair next to her mother.

"I'm sure you know, since you three have finalised the bonds, how babies are made, love," her mother said gently. "As for how..."

Ant went to the refrigerator and lifted down off the top of it a greeting card, before handing it to Hermione.

It was a simple style of bi-fold card similar to a cheap birthday card. However, it was of high quality stock. The image on the front was of a watercolour of three angels with wings and haloes. Inside, in perfect calligraphy, was a short message: 'As we promised, you have been rewarded. Congratulations Anthony Michael and Celeste Marie.'

Indicating the card, Ant said, "That was sitting on the kitchen table when we returned from visiting the doctor to find out why your mother was, apparently, suffering from morning sickness. The doctor confirmed your mother was pregnant."

"Wh-when's it due?" asked Hermione, still a little shaken.

"Late October," said Cele. "And, no, we do not know the sex yet."

"I'm going to have a little brother or sister," Hermione softly said.

Harry and Daphne both rose from their own chairs and, walking a little around the table, both wrapped Hermione in a hug.

Pulling back and looking around at the adults, Harry said to Matthias, Deece and Sirius, "You knew." He wasn't being accusatory, just stating a simple fact.

"Yes," said Matthias, grinning, as the other two just grinned back.

"It wasn't our news to tell," said Deece.

"You could have written!" Hermione said to her parents, clearly a little hurt.

"Yes," confirmed Cele, with a little nod of her head back. "However, there was always a risk with the first trimester. Once that was past, it was only a couple of weeks before you'd be on your Easter break. And we decided it was something we wanted to tell you in person."

Hermione looked a little conflicted by that. Quickly, though, she settled on acceptance and recognition of the validity of their argument. She gave a little nod back.

That made both Granger adults visibly sag in relief.

"So; accommodations," said Harry. He looked to both Grangers and said, "I hope you both now accept we sleep together?"

"Yes," sighed Ant. "I would have preferred you waited a lot longer... a lot longer... but I now know magic pushed you to finalise the bond earlier than even you anticipated."

"Please tell me we won't be going through pregnancy together," begged Cele.

"We won't," smiled Hermione. "Unless, of course, you plan on giving me a second sibling. Then, no promises."

That had the adults grinning and Sirius snorting in amusement.

"Come on," said Cele, putting her tea cup down and rising. "Let's get your sleeping arrangements sorted."

"Oh... ummm... Dad can do that..." started Hermione.

Her mother rode over her and almost snapped, "Don't you start. I've only just broken your father of, again, attempting to wrap me in cotton wool to protect me. I'm pregnant; not dying of brittle bone disease."

"Errr... sorry," said Hermione, a little meekly.

Her mother just patted her on the cheek and said, "I appreciate the concern. However, being pregnant is a natural state for women; as I hope you will experience, one day. We do not suddenly become fragile when we conceive."

Again, Hermione gave a sheepish nod back.

Following Cele, the three headed up the stairs to the guest room. Inside, they found a queen-sized bed, built-in wardrobe and small dresser all crammed into the room.

"Sorry about the cramped conditions," said Cele. "But, it's the best we could do."

Hermione just smiled and said, "You forgot about magic, Mum."

She turned slightly and called, "Dobby."

With a muted crack the little elf appeared. "Yes Mistress Hermy-knee?"

Hermione looked back for a few moments as Harry and Daphne snickered a little.

"Close enough," she huffed. "Can you, please, throw up a semi-permanent space expansion charm in here, and make it so the only muggles who see it are my parents?"

"Yes, Ma'am!" said Dobby. He quickly spun on the spot and caused the room to stretch in both lateral directions until the room was about twice as large as it was.

"Thank you, Dobby." she said.

The little elf grinned and popped away again.

"Harry, you take the bed while I work on the wardrobe," she said as she stepped further into the room and raised her wand to the wardrobe.

Harry chuckled as he widened the bed to the same width and length as the one they had in their apartment.

"That's... amazing," said Cele, looking around in awe. "It's a pity we can't keep it."

Hermione giggled and said, "It would confuse the Hell out of future muggle guests if they were to experience it. They can't see it; but, if they were to enter, they'd get confused about how long it took them to move about the room. That's why it's only temporary. Dobby'll have to return it to its normal dimensions after the weekend."

"So, if they were to walk past the door and look in?" asked Cele.

"They'd see the room, as it was, before we made the magical changes to it," said Hermione. "It's only entering and walking across it they'd get confused."

Cele gave her head a bit of shake and said, "As long as you're not going to get into trouble with that secrecy law thing."

"We won't," smiled Hermione. "Nor for underaged magic. Finalising the bond saw both Daphne and I recognised as emancipated minors in the magical world."

"It would have to, seeing as magic now considers you married," said Cele.

"Are you two ladies just going to stand in the doorway?" asked Harry with a grin plastered across his face looking back at them.

Hermione rolled her eyes and asked, "You done?"

"Some time ago," he replied.

"Oh," she said. "Back to the kitchen, then?"

"That'd be nice," he said.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

Back in the kitchen they were just in time to say good bye to Sirius, Matthias and Deece. Sirius was heading back to the Black House and resuming an argument with Remus about renaming the place, while Deece and Matthias were heading back to Greengrass Farm

"If we're lucky, Astoria wouldn't have managed to set fire to the place yet," said Deece, just before she apparated away.

Hermione turned to Daphne and asked, "Was she serious?"

"No," laughed Daphne. "She always says something like that when leaving from visiting friends; and either I or Astoria was home."

"Now," said Ant. "It was suggested to me to show the three of you our new escape tunnel as a matter of priority."

They were shown to a section of wall behind the stairs. Letting them in they found a trapdoor with a narrow set of stairs going back and under the main stairs of the house, and towards the front of the property. It went quite deep.

That led down to a u-bend that had them walking down a slight slope towards the back of the house.

"It was explained to me that we can't have a lot of the wards that wizarding homes have," said Ant. "However, we can still have the tunnel with a hidden entrance. The only way you three saw it was because you're keyed - I think is the term - into what wards we do have."

As Hermione began to ask her father what sort of wards they had, and he explained the goblins had left detailed information on them because he knew she'd ask, Harry noticed they were heading almost directly back and away from the house.

Eventually, by Harry's calculation, they came to the area beyond the back fence of the house and quite well within the woods located there.

In a similar layout to the Greengrass Farm tunnel, Ant led them into a hidden room well before the end of the tunnel. And, inside, was an actual CCTV system. Ant turned the television monitors on and showed views of the front of the house and down one side; the back of the house and down the other; and the hallways of both ground and first floors.

As you can see, from here we can monitor what's going on all around outside the house, plus watch those moving through the downstairs and upstairs hallways. Of course, the one for the downstairs hallway also shows us if they're trying to chase us down through the tunnel.

He quickly turned those off and pointed to a small telephone. "That's hooked up to the house and will work right through to them cutting the line for it. That is, of course, if they even know what a telephone is and what the line for it looks like. We doubt they do.

"If necessary, we can use that to contact the MPS, muggle aurors, letting them know our house is being attacked, and give them approximate numbers. We're still trying to work out a way to let them know that the 'sticks' the bad guys carry will actually be deadly weapons."

He indicated a half-dozen children's quoits sitting on a shelf and said, "Those are portkeys. They will not work with either Cele or myself, as we have no inherent magic. However, testing has shown that they'll work if we grip them while a wizard or witch grabs on as well."

In the back of a room he indicated a ladder bolted to the wall. "That goes up and comes out inside a fake tree. The entrance to the ladder from outside is hidden, somehow. We've noticed that, once we go up and exit the tree, we can't get back in that way."

Looking back to the three he asked, "Any questions?"

"How much..."" asked Hermione.

"No idea," Ant replied with a smile. "Apparently it was all taken care of by Matthias and Sirius. Those two claimed they'd carry the cost to ensure the safety of their daughter, daughter-in-law and son-in-law slash godson. Once I found out your mother was pregnant, I was grateful."

"One of Daphne's letters from home told us it was the... dwarves?... who were contracted to excavate it and build it," said Hermione. "I didn't know they knew anything about muggle electronics."

"Surprised us, too," said Ant. "Even Matthias didn't know when he sent them to see me that they understood muggle technology."

"So, I take it this place will act as a... what do they call it?... Safe room?... until the DEs are gone or someone can come get you?" asked Harry.

"Yes," replied Ant. "However, if something bad happens... such as the house gets burned down, or they find the hidden entrance in the house... we can still get out of here by way of the ladder up through the tree."

When it appeared no one else had any questions, he said, "Anyway. Let's get back to the house."

The four of them trooped back to the house. However, just before they arrived, Harry noticed what appeared to be a groove with a sliding door flush with one wall off to one side.

"Ant?" he asked, indicating the door.

"A blast door," said Ant. "Once we know everyone from the good guy's side we know is going to come past here, we can slam the door shut. It'll also protect us from the fire if they set fire to the house. It's another safety feature."

Harry nodded and said, "Good to know."

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

The next morning saw Harry downstairs early and cooking in the kitchen. He and Winky had started with a bit of a minor argument about who was going to be doing the cooking. However, voices were not raised out of respect for those still sleeping and they quickly agreed to work together.

Harry was even explaining to the little elf what he was doing and why. He even explained the operation of muggle kitchen appliances such as the coffee percolator, the gas cooker, the toaster, the refrigerator, the hand-cranked egg-beater, and the microwave.

He went on to explain and demonstrate the operation of the washing machine and dryer - though the dryer was way out of reach being mounted on the wall above the washing machine. He showed them the vacuum but Dobby explained back it was far easier to clean the carpet using elf magic than the vacuum, and the carpet was far cleaner after they'd finished.

During the night, both elves had been outside and magically mowed the lawns front and back, trimmed and weeded the gardens, cleaned the paths and did little odd jobs about the place to make sure they were helpful.

When Dobby alerted them that the family was in the process of waking up, Harry and Winky began to finalise what they cooked. They had no idea if Cele was still feeling the effects of morning sickness, as Harry felt it was too rude to ask, and the elves never would; so Harry prepared to supply a boiled egg and dried toast, if she'd rather that.

Cele was the first down, closely followed by Ant. Harry and Winky already had the coffee ready to be served and were ready to plate as the warm plates, which were in the low heat oven, were ready to come out.

"What's this?" asked Cele.

"I didn't know if you were still feeling the effects of morning sickness or not... or whether or not Ant cooks... so I decided to make myself useful by cooking breakfast," replied Harry to which Winky immediately gave her little throat a little clear.

"Sorry," he corrected himself. "I meant we decided to make ourselves useful by cooking breakfast."

"You didn't have to do this," said Cele.

"I know," he shrugged, as he began to gently stir the scrambled eggs. "But it's not often I get the chance to cook. It was the one chore I had at the Dursleys that I actually liked."

Meanwhile, Winky was both monitoring the toaster and one of the two frying pans, which was frying up the tomatoes. Harry was keeping an eye on the one frying the handmade hash browns and bacon.

"So, what are your plans for today," asked Ant, after he'd grabbed a cup of fresh coffee and sat down at the now six-seater kitchen table.

"We're in your hands," replied Harry before he turned to Cele. "Are you up for a big breakfast?"

"I am now," she replied, just as Hedwig landed on the window ledge, outside.

Letting her in, Ant asked, "Any ideas on what you want to do?" He was just about to close the window when two delivery owls from the Daily Prophet flew in, each carrying a copy.

"I believe Hermione will say, spend time with you two," replied Harry as Cele removed the Daily Prophet from each owl's leg. "Where we do that is up to you."

The two delivery owls flew back out the window before Harry could even offer them a rasher of bacon each.

With the smell and sound of sizzling bacon starting to permeate the house, Hermione and Daphne soon joined them.

"Where we do what?" asked Hermione, catching the end of the conversation.

"Spend our day, today," said Ant, beginning to read one of the Prophets.

"Take Harry down to the range, Daddy," suggested Hermione. "We girls want to spend time with Mum."

Ant cocked his eyebrow and looked back at Hermione. "Do mine ears deceive me? Dost mine fair maiden suggest we two knights depart her presence hence to do battle with the pigeons clay?"

"Daddy, stop butchering Shakespeare," Hermione lightly scolded back. "I daresay you've not been far from Mum's side since you both found out she's pregnant. Daphne and I will be here, and this gives you some father-son bonding time with Harry."

"And you, Daphne and your mother some mother-daughter bonding time," Ant shot back. "Which, I've no doubt, is the real reason you wish to banish us mere males from the house."

The three ladies just grinned back.

He turned to Harry and said, "Well, son; feel like getting a better understanding of the noble sport of clay pigeon shooting?"

Grinning at the byplay, Harry looked at Ant and said, "Yeah, Dad; I'd like that."

The other four all looked back at Harry in shock for a moment, at Harry calling Ant 'Dad'. But, Ant's face suddenly broke out in a huge grin. "Then we shall do so! And leave the fairer folk to... spinning wool, needlepoint and... whatnot."

Hermione and Cele both rolled their eyes while Daphne smiled. She turned to Hermione and asked, "Is your father truly this old-fashioned?"

"No," replied Hermione. "However, there's a reason I'm named after a Shakespearean character. Daddy's a fanatic."

Ant just unrepentantly grinned back at the pair of them.

Later that afternoon, the menfolk returned. Harry was sporting both a wide grin and a large bruise in the hollow of his right shoulder.

Hermione took one look at it, sighed at Harry, and said, "I've got some bruise paste in my trunk. Hang on while I get it out."

"How was it?" asked Daphne, as Hermione rose to go to her trunk upstairs.

"Loud!" grinned Harry. "But, loads of fun!"

"The first time I shot the shotgun I ended up falling on my ar...err... bum," he said, as Hermione walked back in.

"So did I!" said Hermione, as she sat down in front of Harry as he eased the collar of his shirt down. "It was also the last time I shot the gun. I've never wanted to do it since."

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

After a very enjoyable Easter weekend with the Grangers, on the Monday afternoon the three were readying to travel to the Black House. Unusually, this travel was taking place in the cars of the two Grangers; matching white third generation 5-Series BMWs they leased as part of their dental practice.

They were waiting on Sirius to arrive to guide them to Grimmauld Place in the inner suburbs of Northern London. The area was considered lower class and Sirius would be putting both cars under a Muggle Notice-me-Not field for the duration of the adult Grangers' few hours stay, as he didn't trust the locals not to cause damage to the two near-new cars.

"Everything packed?" asked Cele, not noticing any luggage when she walked in to join them in the kitchen.

"Packed and ready to be taken to Black House when we arrive," said Hermione. "Dobby will bring them when we call for him."

"Now, you're sure about Winky staying here?" asked Cele, a little worried.

"Yeah, Mum," said Hermione. "We don't have enough work for her at Hogwarts. We really don't have enough work for Dobby, either. But, there's no way we could convince him to do anything but help Harry and his ladies. Winky, however, just wants a family to work for. She'll come to Hogwarts to be with us at times to recharge her magic, but be continually available to help you; especially as your pregnancy progresses."

"We gave her the option, Mum Granger," said Daphne. "It was her choice."

"And people won't see her?" asked a worried muggle mother.

"Not if she doesn't want them to," said Hermione. "And she's very aware of the Statute of Secrecy, and knows to remain invisible to muggles not in the know."

"But, I still don't know if we have enough work for her," she tried.

"Have you seen your gardens, lately?" grinned Harry. "Winky and Dobby did that in one night. I really doubt any one upper middle income muggle family home has 'enough' work for a house elf. However, the elves have this... sort of... network among themselves. They help each other out, as and when necessary.

"Winky's now tapped in to the local house elf network. She'll be fine, work wise. And she now knows how to use all the appliances, as well as not to use too powerful magic around any electronic device that is active; whether 'on' or on 'standby'."

"I'm still amazed at how easily you repaired the television," she said, referring to how Winky had accidentally blown it up when she tried to clean the dust out of its vents.

"So am I," he replied. "I had no idea magic could fix electronic devices so long as the device was unplugged. Nice to know."

"It means, if Winky does accidentally cause something electrical to go on the fritz, it can be magically repaired by unplugging it, first; and probably letting any internal capacitors drain off excess power," added Hermione.

"We ready?" asked Ant, walking in to the kitchen.

"Yes," all three of them replied.

"Hello!" called Sirius, walking in from the garage. "We ready?"

"Yes," all five replied.

"In the kitchen, Sirius!" called Ant.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

Hermione and Daphne rode with Cele in her car, while Sirius and Harry rode with Ant in his.

"I could have magically expanded the interior of one of the cars and we could have all ridden in that," said Sirius.

"Thank you, but its fine," said Ant. "Due to the lease agreements, both cars need to maintain a certain number of miles per year. We're a little low on both for this time of year, so the drive is both necessary and no bother."

Just over an hour later Sirius pointed them to park just inside the inner park on the lawn of Grimmauld Place. When Dan asked why, he explained it was easier on the Notice-me-not field to have pedestrians avoid the area, rather than motorists.

A quick walk across the road and Sirius was leading them up a path to a very well presented 'townhouse' home. Harry had to look to either side to recognise that 12 Grimmauld now looked nothing like it used to in the previous timeline.

Of course, neither Hermione nor he could say anything about the appearance as, in this timeline, they'd not been to the house before. However, a quick glance to Hermione and Harry could tell she was thinking exactly the same thing. The change was amazing.

Of course, the drastic changes for the better on the outside were also now reflected on the inside. Gone was the Slytherin snake motif throughout, the faded and peeling wallpaper, the threadbare carpets, the no-longer polished teak floors, the cobwebs, the magical pest infestations, the dark artefacts, and - most noticeably - the elf heads.

That was all replaced with walls painted in bright and cheery colours, deep rich carpets, polished to a high shine teak flooring, rich drapes, and larger windows allowing in far more light. A very large skylight now occupied the ceiling in the stairwell. The kitchen had been 'wizard' modernised, and quality furniture that had remained and was in reasonable condition had been given a rejuvenating makeover and returned to service. That included furniture like the formal dining table and hard wooden chairs - though the cushions had been replaced.

After a tour of the 'public' areas of the house, Sirius led them up to the bedrooms. Of course, he led them directly to their room on the floor immediately below his own. With a grin and a flourish, he opened the door and gestured everyone inside.

Inside was a large four-poster bed, doors leading off to a private ensuite bathroom and a walk-in robe, a bureau and a small desk.

"I hope this meets your approval?" he asked.

"Oh, yes," said Daphne.

Hermione nodded and said, "It's perfect."

"Dobby! We're here!" called Harry.

Dobby almost immediately popped in with their three trunks. "Yes, Master Harry. Dobby is ready for work."

"Hey, Chuckles!" called Sirius.

A second, apparently much calmer, elf popped in and asked, "Yes, Master Padfoot?"

"Chuckles, this is Dobby. Dobby? Chuckles. Dobby is Master Harry's, Mistress Hermione's and Mistress Daphne's personal elf. He'll be here, helping out, while Harry, Hermione and Daphne are here; alright?"

"Yes, Master Padfoot; of course," said the calm little elf.

"Thank you, Chuckles," said Sirius, and the elf popped away again.

"You named your elf 'Chuckles'?" asked Hermione.

"I think it fits," replied Sirius with a grin.

Hermione just rolled her eyes at him and said, "I'm sure that's not his real name."

"No," agreed Sirius. "But, it's the only one I call him."

While they left Dobby to unpack for the three bondmates, they all trooped down to the kitchen with its large, informal dining table.

"I... thought Madam Black owned a house elf named Kreacher," said Daphne. Harry and Hermione were also wondering what happened to the despicable little fellow.

"He asked I... release him from his torment," replied Sirius. Sirius 'ceremonially' killed him by beheading.

Apparently, Ant and Cele knew of it because they didn't push for further information. And the three bondmates knew not to ask, but Harry and Hermione both knew how.

Once in the kitchen, Chuckles served them all an afternoon tea as they talked.

"Where's Moony?" asked Harry.

"Apparently, his boss is a bit of a hard-arse," grinned Sirius. "He's at work."

"Sirius! Language!" scolded Hermione.

"I am not a... well, you know!" retorted Harry, as Hermione gave him a hard look. "I didn't even know he was at work."

Sirius laughed a little and said, "Don't worry about it, Pup. Moony loves his job and is hard at work with the staff and board determining who is to be offered the first scholarships. Other than at your parents' wedding, I've never seen him happier.

"They needed Filius present and he could only add his expertise during the Easter break. He'll be here in a little while. And he's looking forward to seeing you, again."

After their afternoon tea, the adult Grangers exchanged hugs with the teens and bid the three bondmates a good stay at the Black House before they followed Sirius back out to their cars. So was the nature of the Notice-me-not charms on the cars that even they couldn't see them.

However, as soon as Sirius dispelled the charms, the Grangers hopped in, pulled them back onto the road and drove away.

When Sirius came back inside he was madly grinning and rubbing his hands together.

"Alright, Potters!" he said. "Any plans for during your time here I need to be aware of?"

"Now that we're out from under the roofs of my in-laws..." said Harry, with a leer at his wives.

"Harry!" both girls exclaimed, scandalised, before both also blushed.

Sirius just barked with laughter.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

By the time Sirius, accompanied by the Greengrasses and with Astoria, escorted the three back to Kings Cross, Harry was happy he'd been able to spend so much time with him. This timeline, at least, whenever they started to talk it wasn't soon thereafter interrupted by one of the Weasleys; who were pretty much hell-bent on keeping them apart.

The four spent evening hours sitting in the revived parlour of the Black House talking about the Marauders and, specifically, Harry's parents.

After one of their talks focussing on Lily, Hermione asked, "I really am a lot like her, aren't I?"

"Yes, dear; you are," smiled Sirius.

Before they left Black House Sirius gave them a small book to read called, 'Your Inner Animal'.

"It's a book about animaguses, together with the known risks and benefits," he said. "I know it's not something you've decided you'd like to try; however, I'd like you to read that before you reach a decision one way or the other."

"Thank you," said Harry.

"Just remember; if you have any questions, I can probably provide the answers," he said. "Just don't approach Minnie about this. She's still very much annoyed with your father and me about doing it while we were still students. She'd demand you not try it while at school."

"We won't," said Hermione; which showed how little faith she still held in Professor McGonagall.

While they were waiting on the platform and talking to the adults, the three were approached by Arthur Weasley. They could see the four Weasley school-aged children all standing back and watching. Fred and George were grinning, Ron was angry and Ginny was staring at Harry with longing.

"May I have a word with you and your wives, Mister Potter?" he asked.

After a visual check with his wives, Harry replied, "Certainly, Mister Weasley."

The three pulled apart from Sirius and the other Greengrasses just enough that their discussion would not be overheard.

The three waited for Mister Weasley to then gather his thoughts and say his piece.

Eventually, he said, "Mister Potter... Harry... I hope you understand I had no idea what Molly was up to or planning. Since I have become... freed... of the effects of the potion she was slipping me, I've come to realise I do not love her. If anything, I now find myself despising her. I have filed for an in absentia divorce based on the use of those love potions."

"I thought she'd be released by now," said Hermione. "After all, the six months should have expired, by now."

"It has," he replied. "However, I will not have her back at The Burrow. I think she's staying with her Aunt Muriel."

He gave himself a bit of a shake and said, "But, that's not your concern. I just wanted to assure you that the Weasleys, as a family, despise what Molly attempted to do. And, now that I'm free of potions myself, I find myself utterly appalled at what she was planning on accomplishing."

"Mister Weasley," said Harry. "While I know it was fundamentally Molly's plan to potion me and have me marry Ginevra, it was not difficult for me to come to the logical conclusion that Ronald and Ginevra were willing... I daresay eager... co-conspirators. And, from the expressions on both their faces as you were asking us for a word, it was not difficult to tell they'd go right back to being co-conspirators if they thought they could get away with it."

When Arthur seemed about to object, Harry continued, "I know that the only reason both were not more harshly punished as a result of that trial is because of backroom shenanigans by Dumbledore, calling in favours or promising others. It was not difficult to hear Molly's whole testimony and determine it was carefully prepared to ensure your two youngest were able to slip out of receiving suitable and well-deserved punishment.

"Hells bells, neither of them, even now, believe they've done anything wrong! Ronald is still operating under an overblown sense of personal entitlement about being born a pureblood and believes only he can be the friend of Harry Potter, and that he's been wronged by being caught; hence the expression of hate on his face even now. And, Ginevra was brain-washed by Molly into believing it was her destiny to marry the mythical Boy-Who-Lived; hence her expression of pained longing for me."

Arthur seemed to think about that for a moment before he quickly spun around, and saw those exact expressions. He glared at them both, for a moment forcing both to look away, before he turned back to Harry with a look of sadness. "I'm sorry," he quietly said.

"Look, Mister Weasley," said Harry, a little softer. "I'm very grateful to you, the twins... even Percy... for being there for me in my first, second and third year summers. You even invited Hermione and me to join your family to attend the Quidditch World Cup. And I know you did that for no more reason than you're really good people. But, what those three did? That's unforgivable. They used me, manipulated me and... as I see it... poisoned me and Hermione. And they planned on continuing to do that until they got what they wanted."

"I know, Harry," sighed Arthur. "However, that did not absolve me of apologising to you as Head of House Weasley."

"Accepted, Arthur," said Harry. "Just... keep those two away from me."

"They have been ordered to," he said. "I just hope they recognise the consequences of not obeying that order."

"As do we, Mister Weasley," said Hermione. "If they, ever again, act against us..."

"Understood," he sighed.

After wishing them the best... and his belated congratulations... he took his reduced brood off so they could board the train, sending the twins on board as he took the youngest two aside for another talk about their behaviour.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

When they boarded the train and found a compartment, Daphne said, "I thought the Weasleys stayed at the castle for Easter."

"As did I," said Harry. "I don't remember them being on the train back to London two weeks ago."

"They weren't," said Hermione. "I was watching for them."

"Then they must have been either sent home or Mister Weasley picked them up, after the train left," said Daphne. "It could have been just for that meeting, on the platform."

"Yeah, but I doubt it. Mister Weasley doesn't have a Slytherin bone in his body," sighed Harry. "I can see him wanting to spend time with his kids, though; now that The Burrow is empty of everyone but himself while school is in session. He could have even wanted to check up on his two youngest to see how they're faring. We just don't know."

"Father informs me that Percy has returned to The Burrow," said Daphne. "Apparently, it was more Molly's nagging that drove him away. And he also now has a house elf to take care of the place. It was something the oldest two bought for their father to make sure he was looked after soon after Molly was incarcerated."

"As long as 'Ronnikins' doesn't abuse it, I have no problem with that," said Harry. "Arthur's nice. He'd treat him, or her, well."

They were just talking when the door opened and Malfoy stuck his head in. Again, there was nary a human bookend in sight.

"Potter," he sniffed.

"Malfoy," Harry sniffed back in an almost perfect mimic of the blonde boy.

Malfoy stood there for a moment before he obviously reached a decision. He quickly looked both directions down the corridor and stepped fully within the compartment before closing the door shut behind him. Then he just stood there for a few moments.

Finally, Harry asked, "Something on your mind, Malfoy?"

Again, Malfoy just seemed to stand there for a few moments; neither looking at Harry and not. Clearly, something was whirring about in his mind. Eventually, he reached another decision and said, "You need to watch your arse, Potter. There's something in the wind."

'Curious,' thought Harry. When he glanced at his wives he could see they thought the same thing.

"Care to elaborate?" he asked.

"I'm... unable to," the blond boy admitted.

"Fair enough," replied Harry. "Then, perhaps you could tell me what's led you to this conclusion?"

"A few things," replied Malfoy. "During the break, father was acting quite... I must ask that what I am about to tell you is not spoken about with other ears. I understand that your... wives... will be privy. However, your word on your and their behalf shall suffice."

Harry thought about that for a few moments. This was something that did not happen in the previous timeline. It was something that had a clear profound effect on the boy who thought himself his arch-nemesis.

He quickly glanced to his two wives, who were also showing confusion but acceptance.

He turned back and said, "As long as what you tell me does not cause harm to me or mine, including my friends, then I will keep your confidence. However, if it does warn of possible harm to me or mine or my friends, I will do my best to ensure your identity is kept out of it if I feel the need to warn or protect them."

Malfoy gave a little snort and said, "You really should have gone into Slytherin." He paused for a moment and then said, "During the break, father was acting quite perturbed and showing not a little anxiety. It is not like him to display emotion; especially emotion that could be deemed a weakness. For father, this is quite out of the ordinary. It means he was very worried. I saw as he often rubbed the Dark Mark on his arm; almost unconsciously. He would also meet with some of his... colleagues from those days. They, too, displayed anxiety.

"And father has also been meeting with the goblins. From the snippets of information I garnered, I suspect it was to move funds out of wizarding Britain. Not a lot, but significant amounts.

"From this, I have reached the conclusion that father and his colleagues believe the Dark Lord will soon return. Hence, my warning."

Malfoy paused again for a few moments before his voice, still soft, firmed. He said, "Now that I know the truth about the identity of the Dark Lord... Riddle... I have no wish to be forced to take his Mark. I was taught that 'A Malfoy bows to no one'. However, my father abases himself by kissing the robes of a... bastard half-blood.

"It was not difficult to determine Riddle is only caring of his own self interests. To align oneself with him is foolishness in the extreme. I do not consider myself a fool." He then held himself up straight and his tone and manner took on a more formal air. "As it is apparent you are the Heir of Black, I ask you to act as intermediary between myself and The Black, to see if he'd be willing to offer myself... and, hopefully, my mother... sanctuary in House Black."

Daphne gasped a little as Harry just stared back, stupefied. It took him a moment to get his mind going again.

"Bloody Hell, Malfoy!" he near gasped. "Of all the things I could have guessed you might want to say to me, that was not even on my 'highly unlikely' mental list."

Malfoy clearly thought that through for a moment before he clearly and honestly said, "I admit, until this break, it would not have been something I could ever envision asking of you; let alone, asking of you anything."

Harry sighed and looked at his wives. Both nodded back.

Turning back he said, "Alright, Malfoy. I will ask Sirius... The Black... as soon as I am able to. I may not like you; but, you are family; even if it is as distant cousins, once removed. And I understand my responsibilities as the Heir of Black to a son of Black."

"Then you have my thanks, Heir of Black," replied Malfoy. "However, until this matter is... resolved. I'm afraid I must keep up appearances. Forgive me, but I must still comport myself as if I consider you my personal enemy."

Harry gave a little snort and said, "Understood. However, no hexes or similar; words only. Agreed?"

"Agreed," he replied. "Thank you for your time... Potter." He then turned to both Daphne and Hermione, finally acknowledging their presences, and gave a short bow to each. "Missus Greengrass-Potter. Missus Granger-Potter."

Without waiting for a response, he spun about and, after checking both ways down the outside passage, made his escape, quietly shutting the door behind him as he left.

"Bloody Hell," breathed Harry after Malfoy disappeared.

"Do you have your mirror on you, Harry?" asked Daphne.

"Umm... yeah," he replied, distractedly pulling it out of the pocket of his inside robes.

Without even asking, she almost snatched it out of his hand before opening it and whispering 'Padfoot' across the glass.

Both Harry and Hermione were surprised. This was not normal 'Daphne' behaviour.

"Why, hello, Pup..." came the voice of Sirius from the mirror. "Hang on, you're not Harry. What is it, Daphne? Did something happen to Harry on the train?"

"No, Sirius. I need to speak to you as 'The Black'," she said.

"Ohhh-kay!" he said, before his voice took on quite a different tone and inflection. "Then, this is a pleasure, Missus Greengrass-Potter. How may I or House Black assist you?"

"My husband, your Heir, has just been approached by your cousin, once removed, the Heir of Malfoy and son of House Black," she replied. "He came asking for my husband to act as his intermediary in approaching you with a most special request."

"Young Draco?" asked Sirius, to which Daphne nodded. "I see... and what is Mister Malfoy's request?"

Daphne quickly outlined the discussion they just had, and promised to also send along a memory of the event as soon as they were able, that night.

"I see," said Sirius. "Is it your belief his request is sincere?"

"It is," she replied. "As it is for my husband and sister-wife."

Sirius seemed to think hard about that for a few moments before he asked, "Are you aware of whether or not his mother, Cousin Narcissa, has taken the Mark?"

"We are not," she replied.

Sirius seemed to think a bit more before he said, "Very well. Send that memory strand to me tonight. I shall review it and make my decision on how I will proceed, accordingly."

"Thank you, Mister Black. You have our gratitude," she replied.

"Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention, Missus Greengrass-Potter," said Sirius.

Daphne suddenly grinned and said, "Now that the formalities are out of the way, sorry for shocking you with that, Padfoot."

"That's alright," he replied, his voice losing its formally stilted form. "It was your duty; or, rather, Harry's."

"Harry isn't up on the formal language required yet," she replied with a little blush.

"I know," he replied. "Your father and I will be coaching him on that over the summer. Hermione, too."

"And I'll now be playing my part on helping with that before then," she said.

"Good," he replied. "I had expected as much."

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

When the train arrived at Hogsmeade the three immediately headed to the carriages and were joined, again, by Horace, Blaise and Tracey.

"We missed you on the train," said Tracey.

"Yeah, sorry," said Daphne. "I don't know what happened there."

"I heard you went to Twillfit and Tattings for your Wizengamot robes," Blaise said to Harry.

"Yeah," replied Harry. "I just wish I could get out of having to attend for now. There's already too much on my plate, you know?"

Blaise nodded back and said, "Hopefully, for you, it'll only be a few hours out of every month. As a new member you won't have to attend any committee hearings, judicial sittings or the like. However, you'll probably find yourself on the roster for those next sitting year."

"When is that, by the way?" asked Harry. "June to July? September to August?"

"March to February," replied the other boy. "It has something to do with the ancient Roman calendar of only ten months, of which March was the first."

"So, that means I'm excused from other than the actual Wizengamot sittings until the first sitting in March?" he asked.

"Unless something happens that requires you to sit earlier, yes," replied Blaise. "However, you'll be approached sometime in January, at the latest, concerning what Committees and the like of which you will or should become a member."

"Like what?" he asked.

"Sitting members dying or retiring," replied Blaise. "Or, they're sent to prison, or undergo a long-term stay in Saint Mungo's, or... they become too ill due to age to attend but won't retire..." he suddenly added.

With a sigh, Harry said, "Well, hopefully, none of that will happen. And, hopefully, I'll only lose a few hours one day a month."

"Knowing your luck, Harry..." said Hermione.

Harry winced and softly said, "Yeah..." Then he moaned and said, "I'm going to be studying my arse off over the summer!"

"Harry James, you mind your language!" scolded Hermione, as the three Slytherins grinned back.

"Hermione," Daphne softly but firmly said.

Daphne had no qualms with Hermione berating Harry for his language and scolding him as much as she wished when in private or with family. However, there was still a level of... passive deference... to Harry she demanded of the other girl when in public. And that included not scolding him for his language.

Daphne required of Hermione, in such instances, to note his language and berate him in private later about it, if she felt the need to. It was still something Hermione was learning to control. However, her reaction was often of the 'knee jerk' variety, as it had developed in her younger years. Her father had been amused by it, so hadn't called her up short on it. Daphne, however, was now working on it with the other girl as Harry was still quite often cowed by his muggleborn wife when she went on a tear. Something she was also working with Harry on improving.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ