Chapter Seventy - Returning to Britain
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 Seventy - Returning to Britain
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―==(oIo)==―
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The trip back to Britain, as with their trip to France, was quite quick for the Potter Four; just reversed.
They flooed to the French Ministry, went up to the International Portkey point, took the pre-scheduled portkey across to the portkey point at the Ministry of Magic in Britain, went down to the atrium and flooed to The Black Townhouse; arriving only half an hour after - or before, with the time change - they left Delacour Manoir. They were met at the British portkey point by Remus.
First through the floo to The Black Townhouse, Harry sang out, "We're baa-aack!"
"Kitchen!" he heard Dorothy call.
Leading the other four, Harry dropped down to the semi-basement kitchen and walked in through the door. Dorothy, as expected, was at the kitchen bench; but not at the stove. She was making sandwiches.
With only a glance in their direction, she asked, "Welcome back. How was France?"
"Yeah, it was nice," replied Harry, first to respond. The others all said something similar.
Hermione asked, "Where's everybody else?"
"Hmmm..." she replied, clearly thinking. "Narcissa's out doing something with her new Tapestry Circle; Sirius is... actually, I don't know where Sirius is; Stephen and my lot are, once again, off doing the touristy stuff; and Remus―"
"Is right here," said Remus, walking in behind the Four.
Curious, Harry asked Dorothy, "How come you don't go out and do the, as you call it, 'touristy stuff'?"
"I do... some," she replied, still working on sandwiches. "But, what you probably don't know is, I spent part of my childhood growing up in London." She turned to look directly at Harry and said, "It... wasn't a pleasant time of my life."
"Ah!" he said. "Say no more."
"But, why?" asked Hermione.
Harry snapped to look at the girl and softly, but firmly, said, "Hermione. Don't press."
That had the girl blushing in embarrassment. "Sorry," she softly squeaked.
"Anyways," he said. "We need to go and unpack."
"Harry," said Daphne. "Feel for your trunk in your pocket."
Harry immediately reached down and couldn't feel it. Looking in surprise at her, he asked, "Dobby?"
Before Daphne could respond, Dobby quietly popped in and said, "Dobby and Betsy alreadys be doing the unpackings, Master Harry." And popped away again.
With a sigh as Daphne and the other two grinned at him, though Hermione's was not as wide, he said, "Well then. I'd best go and make sure he's unpacked things where I want them." And rose.
"Admit it, Harry," said Daphne. "That little elf is devoted to you."
"Fiiiine," he grumbled, making his way out as the other three began to follow. "He's devoted to me."
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―==(oIo)==―
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As it was a Saturday, as soon as he'd finished his breakfast - only one and a half servings - Ron Weasley begged off working any further in the house and asked to finally be allowed to give his broom a ride.
He argued, "If I want to win back my position as keeper for the Lions, Mum, I have to get my skills back up. I wasn't able to accomplish any practice while I was at Aunt Muriel's."
Molly thought about it for a long moment before she quietly said, "Well, I suppose the hand of your clock hasn't dipped into 'In Danger' for more than five weeks now... And, since it hasn't, your father and I might think about sending you back to Hogwarts... Very well. You can go practice, some."
Whirling on him as he was about to bolt out the door, she said, "But... for no more than an hour. Hear me?"
"Yes, Mum!" he was quick to reply.
He quickly ran out the back door and away. However, he only went as far as the side of the house.
He quickly checked about to ensure he wasn't being watched, then attempted a Disillusionment charm on himself. As the book said, he felt that odd feeling of thick water running down his body, which meant it was successful.
He quietly made his way back inside and slipped through to the lounge.
In there, he cast a silencing ward over the fireplace, took a pinch of floo powder and dashed it in. Quietly, he called "Diagonally!"
With a silent whoosh of green flame, pleased it made no noise, he stepped in and was away.
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―==(oIo)==―
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Weasley popped out exactly where he thought he'd end up; right in the middle of the shop called Borgin and Burke's in Knockturn Alley.
Old Mister Burke was behind his counter and frowning at him. There was another man on Weasley's side of the counter. It appeared Ron had popped out of the floo while the two men were doing business.
Coughing a little bit of soot out of his lungs and casting a Scourgify charm on himself, Ron braced himself up and marched over to the counter. The clearly well dressed man on his side appeared both annoyed at the interruption and amused at Ron's behaviour. Ron had no idea who he was, but didn't care.
Striding up to the counter, ignoring that the other man was there first, he slapped the few galleons, sickles and knuts he had, together with the few small trinkets he'd been able to collect, onto the counter.
Trying to pretend to be, though he did not realise that was what he was doing, a clone of Draco Malfoy, he demanded, "I want to see a collection of your dark arts books."
Burke looked at the meagre pile of money on the counter before him and was about to say something scathing back when he caught a signal from the man opposite; Caracticus Nott.
"Young man," said Nott. "From what you've rudely dumped onto Mister Burke's counter, you lack sufficient funds to even think about perusing Mister Burke's merchandise. Perhaps I may be of assistance?"
Weasley turned to look back and, still mimicking a poncy git, demand, "Who're you?"
Nott was shocked the boy spoke to him that way. Clearly, he had no idea he could challenge his guardian to a duel for his words. 'Probably his father,' he thought. 'However, maybe I can use this.'
"Young man," he quietly said, "I am Lord Caracticus Nott. And, for your remarks to me just then, I could demand of you the identity of your guardian and demand of him or her satisfaction by way of a duel to the death." He couldn't, not quite, but he very much doubted the boy would know that.
While Ron parsed that through his mind, eventually paling in fear, Nott continued, "Instead, I'm not going to go that route if you come clean with me."
When Ron thought about it, he then carefully nodded back.
"Good," said Nott, inwardly smirking. He was correct. "Now, why is it you wish to purchase dark arts books? And, don't lie to me; I can easily tell if you do."
Ron thought about that for a few long moments before he took the time to come up with his careful answer. "I need them."
"Why?" pressed Nott.
Ron thought about it and replied, "I need to teach someone a lesson."
Nott frowned and demanded, "Don't make me have to delve through your mind for the answer, boy. Who is it you need to teach a lesson?"
Ron did think about lying, but when he saw Nott's frown turn into a scowl, he blurted, "Harry Potter."
That surprised Nott. He now knew who the young idiot before him was and thought he was still somewhat a friend of the Potter boy.
"Reee-ally?" he drawled. "That is interesting. And, just why do you want to teach Potter a lesson?"
Now starting to fume at the interrogation he was getting, Ron finally snapped, "That's none of yer bus'ness! Why, is my own reason. I've answered yer questions, as such I've met yer demand!"
Nott smirked back and said, "Very well, Mister Weasley. Clearly you have a backbone where I thought you did not."
Ron completely missed about how Nott referred to him by name. It completely slipped his attention he'd not given it.
Think a bit, Nott eventually said, "The amount you have offered the good Mister Burke is grossly insufficient for him to meet your... request. However, I believe I may be of assistance."
Warily, Ron asked, "How?"
"I, too, have a desire to see Potter taught a lesson, as you put it," he replied. "However, I am far too likely a suspect if anything... untoward... were to happen to the young man. Therefore, if you were to see to Potter being taught a lesson, then I may be in a position to assist you in giving that lesson. In that way, I will have been part of seeing the boy... taught."
Still wary, Ron asked, "How will you help?"
"For a start," smirked Nott. "I will provide you with the gold you need to purchase those books you want. If you are able to make use of them and show me at a later time you have learned from them, then I may be able to provide you further assistance.
"What say you, young Mister Weasley?"
Ron thought about it for a long few seconds and couldn't see anything untoward about that. Finally, he looked the man directly in the eye and firmly said, "Deal."
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―==(oIo)==―
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The Potter Four were only back at The Black Townhouse for less than an hour when Remus informed them that Tracey was on the floo.
Following a hurrying Daphne down to the welcoming room, the other three arrived just in time to see Daphne kneel before the fireplace on the cushioned mat stored just off to one side for just this purpose.
She happily called, "Hi Trace!"
"Daph!" the other girl almost giggled back. "You won't believe what has happened in the past couple of days. Can you step through?"
Looking first to the other three, she asked, "Can we four step through?"
"Yes, of course!" gushed Tracey. Then she pulled out and was gone.
Harry gave a nod and said, "I'll let Remus know." And hurried off to speak to his honourary uncle.
"We'll see you there!" Daphne called to his back.
After a quick word to Remus to let the man know where 'he and his' would be, Harry quickly followed them to the Davis Estate. When he popped out of the floo at the other end, only skidding on his knees for about three feet before popping back up to his feet, he could see the three girls were in a group hug with Tracey in the middle. They were all congratulating the girl.
"Alright," he said, "What'd I miss?"
Hermione quickly whirled to face him and exclaimed, "Tracey's Betrothal Agreement with Justin Finch-Fletchley has now been signed!"
Confused a little, Harry asked, "I thought that might have been off. What happened with Blaise?"
It was as if he'd just doused the lot with ice water. They all froze for a moment before showing anger, but thankfully not aimed at him.
Daphne gave an angry little sniff and replied, "Mister Zabini seems to think he's much too good to marry our Tracey. He's looking for a bride on the continent."
"Well," said Harry, "That's disappointing. I thought better of Blaise than that."
"So did I. However, it seems his mother... his Head of House and Regent... had a change of heart upon hearing some news and forbid it," said Tracey, not a little sadly. Then she suddenly perked up and said, "But, Dad said he was glad it happened because he was already in negotiations with Earl Finch-Fletchley and Lady Marchbanks about a Betrothal Agreement between Justin and me. It wasn't off, at all; just delayed. That's now gone ahead!"
Walking over, Harry said, "The important question is: Are you happy?"
"Yes!" she happily declared before almost jumping at Harry to wrap him in a hug. "I wasn't, at first; but, I am now."
Harry hesitated only a moment before wrapping the girl in a hug of his own. He firmly said, "Then, I'm happy for you."
"I've also been told there's a Concubine Bond Agreement in the works, too," she said. "But, I don't know with whom that is."
Harry immediately looked to his girls as Hermione looked back in shock. So did Daphne, but hers was more along the lines of a cocked eyebrow. It didn't seem to faze Fleur one jot. Obviously, Tracey hadn't told his girls that before he arrived.
Harry thought it was probably CeeCee. However it might also be, as he'd suggested months ago, young Astoria or Luna. He thought the second unlikely, though.
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―==(oIo)==―
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After Weasley left Borgin and Burke's, this time by way of a portkey created and provided by Nott, Burke looked to Nott and simply asked, "My Lord... if you're of a mind tell me... may I ask why?"
Nott smirked back and said, "Tell me, Burke; of all those who've directly gone against the young Lord Potter, how many are currently still in the game?"
Burke frowned and shook his head. "I... confess to not knowing the answer to that."
Nott's smirk deepened and he said, "The Dark Lord, Dumbledore, Malfoy senior and junior, Crouch senior and junior, MacNair, the Minister, his muggle relatives and even my own grandson; with the exception of my grandson all are either dead or as good as, having been permanently or semi-permanently dealt with. And all by the direct action of the Potter boy."
With a self-deprecating snort, he said, "Going against the Potter boy directly has proven to be a quick way to either end up in Azkaban or a grave. I do not intend to go the same way. Therefore, I shall be taking a different path. I shall be using the easily manipulated young Mister Weasley as my personal 'cat's paw'."
Surprised by the answer, Burke quietly said, "A truly Slytherin move, My Lord."
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―==(oIo)==―
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Ron Weasley returned to The Burrow by the portkey 'freely' provided him by Nott. In his pocket he had a small stack of shrunken books.
How much gold had changed hands had shocked the boy. He had no idea he didn't even have anywhere near enough to purchase one book, let alone the half dozen he was given.
Getting back into the house, Weasley was surprised to discover he'd been away for less than the allowed hour. Thankfully, his mother had no idea he'd been gone.
As he tried to quietly head up the stairs, his mother stuck her head out of the kitchen and spotted him. "What are you doing back inside already?"
Pausing, he turned back to her and replied, "I thought that... if I'm going to be allowed to return to Hogwarts, this year... I should do some studying to make sure I'm not too far behind."
Surprised, she thought about what he'd said, trying to see if he was up to no good and not finding any clue he was, gave a nod and said, "That sounds like a good idea, Ron. I'll see if I can prepare some of your favourite foods for lunch while you study."
Surprised at the offer, Ron paused a moment himself before he replied, "Thank you, Mum. That sounds nice."
After Molly smiled back for a just a moment before pulling her head back out of the doorway and returning to the kitchen, Ron completed his trip up to his room.
Yes, he'd be studying. However, it wasn't on anything to do with Hogwarts. No, he had a small stack of books he needed to read and spells to practice wand movements for.
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―==(oIo)==―
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On return to the Black Townhouse, Harry went to find out if Sirius had also returned.
Their stay at the Davis Estate had eventually been for a solid hour plus. As such, he felt there was a good possibility his godfather had returned in the meantime.
Seeing the office door closed, he knocked on it. He was unsure of whether or not there was anyone in there and it was a rule that such offices were not to be entered without prior permission.
"Come in," he heard Sirius call from the other side.
'Ah!' he thought, opening the door.
When he entered it was to see Sirius talking with both Ted Tonks and Narcissa.
"Hello, Harry," said Sirius.
"Hi," he softly greeted all three.
Looking to his godfather, he said, "We four have just returned from Davis Estate. Tracey had news for us."
"Ah!" grinned Sirius. "Tell you about the BA, did she?"
"Yup," he replied. "However, she also told us about a pending CBA, while she was at it. Care to elaborate?"
Sirius smirked and said, "That's just where I've come from and what we're discussing right now."
Harry nodded and said, "Good. CeeCee needs protecting. And a CBA with Justin would be... as the muggles would say... the duck's nuts. Convinced Stephen and Dorothy of it yet?"
"Yes," he smirked. "Now, scram. We've got more parchmentwork to get through regarding that, yet. And you, as only Heir Tertiary, do not need to know of it."
"I'll leave you to it, then," he nodded. And began to withdraw.
"One moment, Lord Potter," said Narcissa.
Pausing, he asked, "Yes?"
"I... would appreciate the opportunity to talk to your three ladies," she replied.
Harry gave a nod and said, "I don't know if you understand the relationship between us four, but I do not make decisions on their behalf unless it's something that applies to us as a group.
"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.
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―==(oIo)==―
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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."
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―==(oIo)==―
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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.
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―==(oIo)==―
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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.
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―==(oIo)==―
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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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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 self-updating 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.
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―==(oIo)==―
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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.
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―==(oIo)==―
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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.
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―==(oIo)==―
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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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―==(oIo)==―
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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, lickety-split. 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 kitty-cornered 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."
"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.
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."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ