~Two Weeks Later~
"Marquis Cedric will be here soon!" Emmeline shouted to anyone that was near her not doing as they were told.
"I swear, do I have to do everything myself?" Emmeline followed quickly behind a girl who was being lazy as she placed fresh towels and linens into Marquis Cedric's rooms.
"Where's Harry?" Emmeline asked once she had put Cedric's rooms to rights.
"Out with Laurel" the girl said throwing her hair over her shoulder and then flouncing away.
"She's got to go" Emmeline said before making her way towards the flower gardens that you usually were able to find Laurel and now Harry at when not working. Emmeline soon saw Harry with a pair of pruning shears in hand and a basket beside him.
"What is that boy up to?" Emmeline asked herself as she made her way down the sloping yard to the vast flower garden that Diggory Manor had. Many prize winning flowers came from the beds that Laurel and now Harry tended to.
"Harry" Emmeline called out once she was close enough to not scare the boy with her shout; he was still very jumpy around unknown surroundings and loud noises.
"Emmeline" Harry responded a smile on his face at hearing his favorite person's voice, well Abay was also a favorite but he hadn't been able to see much of the man since Duke Diggory had put the house into a flurry for preparing for Marquis Cedric Edward Diggory to arrive back from his finishing school of Hogwarts.
"There you are" Emmeline said relieved to have found Harry where he was. Most of the men of the Manor had taken a shine to Harry, and a few had also been seen 'chatting' Harry up, with the small teen clueless of the other's intentions. Byram was one of them, but Harry had yet to realize that.
"I was picking some flowers for Marquis Diggory's room; do you think he'll like that?" Harry asked worried, at the time when he voiced his idea to Jasmine, one of the hands that had been hired on for the summer, he had been laughed at, but upon arriving outside and to his haven where Laurel stood a pair of trimmers in hand, he had forgotten all about the reason he was out there currently.
"I think he will love that. He is always bothering Laurel for gardening lessons…." Emmeline said thinking that Harry would be the perfect person to teach the Marquis about gardening. Laurel didn't have the patience for explaining things and the reason on why she did the things she did.
"Here's what I got" Harry said picking up the basket that lay at his feet, hoping that he wasn't getting anything that the Marquis would be offended by.
"Oh, he'll love these" Emmeline said amazed that Harry picked out each of the Marquis' favorite flowers.
"Really" Harry said wondering if Emmeline was just humoring him or if she really thought what she said.
"Really, on more than one occasion the Marquis has asked Laurel how to grow each and every one of them. I remember the time he snuck into the tool shed and got a pot full of dirt and made his way over to orchids and cut himself off a flower and then stuck it in the dirt thinking it would grow that way" Emmeline said with a chuckle, to this day Laurel gave the Marquis a hard time over his 'flower fiascos' as they called it. Harry beamed at her words, something that she was beginning to see more and more of these days.
"Now go get them ready, the Marquis is bound to be here at any moment. Abay should be arriving soon" Emmeline warned watching as Harry's eyes got big and he began to make his way back up the hill with his basket of flowers in hand and pruning shears in the other.
"It will be an interesting summer" Emmeline commented just as Laurel pulled up beside her to watch Harry make his way up to the manor.
"It shall for I have a feeling that Harry will keep the Marquis on his toes this summer" Laurel commented, she and Emmeline both knew that the Marquis's taste in a spouse was in the decidedly male persuasion, not that there was anything against it, but what the pair was uncertain about was if the Duke knew of his son's interests in the male form.
"That he shall, only question is do you think the Duke will figure it out or be told?"
"Told" both said as the same time, they knew that come hell or high water, either one of them or their husbands would tell the Duke of his son's persuasion in life.
"Do you think Duchess Diggory knows?" Both women looked at each other and answered the same thing.
"Yes"
"So we tell her, warn her?"
"I'll do that now" Emmeline said before heading up the hill towards where she knew the Duchess would be waiting for her husband and son to return at.
"Mistress, if I might intrude" Emmeline said coming into the room where Duchess Genoveva Diggory sat reading a book while the summer sun filtered through the large floor to ceiling windows in the room.
"Ah, Emmeline just the woman I wished to speak to" Genoveva Diggory said marking her spot in the book, closing it and then looking Emmeline in the eyes.
"Have a seat, I wish to discuss my son with you" Duchess Diggory said watching her head maid take a seat on the chair across from her.
"Mistress" Emmeline started off only to be cut short by the Duchess.
"My son shall arrive and with his arrival and birthday, he shall usher in the beginning of the courting season. Something that I know you have prepared years for" the Duchess got a nod in response from Emmeline, the woman had in fact been preparing for the Marquis' sixteenth birthday since he turned ten.
"With that ushering in, will come a decision my son will need to make. That of what gender his spouse will be" the Duchess watched her head maid waiting for the woman to object to her words, but she knew along with most of the staff that was close to the Diggory family that Cedric Diggory was gay and would be picking a male as his spouse.
"I think we both know the answer to that" Emmeline stated wanting to make sure that the Duchess wasn't in denial about what her son's preference in gender was.
"We do, but what I worry about is what his father will think of his choice. For you know he will do *any* to please his father" the Duchess stating remembering on more than one occasion how her son would do what her husband would want instead of what her son felt he wanted to do. Rugby was one of those such things, he played for his house team the Hufflepuffs and he hated every moment of it. She had gotten many e-mails, text messages and even letters whenever he got a chance to sit down and write something to her about how much he hated playing rugby. She knew that suggesting to quit wasn't an option, for his father had been so proud when he made the team as a second year, and even to this day he was still on the team, had actually made team captain as a fourth year and he would now be ending his sixth year at Hogwarts, both of his parents alma mater.
"I think this time the Marquis…"
"Call him Cedric, you raised him along side me" the Duchess said before getting a smile out of Emmeline.
"I think this time Cedric will need to what do the Americans call it? Ah yes, 'man up'; for this is the rest of his life. Something that he will have to live with long after his father dies" Emmeline said frankly, she knew that the Duchess or more like her friend Genoveva would understand that her harsh words were said with love. She wanted the Marquis to be happy and pleasing his father only made one person happy in the end and that was the Duke and not the Marquis.
"I will speak with my husband, only if you have Abay speak to Cedric. Cedric values your husband's opinions and thoughts."
"Consider it done my lady" Emmeline said before smiling, she had one more thing she needed to speak to her friend about.
"Speak your mind Emmeline" Genoveva said watching her long time friend, she knew something was on the woman's mind and she wouldn't leave until she had spoken her mind. Emmeline brought a finger to her lips and then rose quickly and quietly, sneaking over to where she was certain Jasmine was hiding listening in on their conversation.
"You stupid chit!" Emmeline shouted watching as Jasmine fell out of the closet she had hidden herself in, hoping to get a secret or two on how to win the Marquis's heart. It was just too bad she had missed the information that the pair had spoken, for she would have known that nothing she did would attract the Marquis' attention.
"Ma'am" Jasmine said jumping up off the floor where she had fallen before blushing bright red, she had been caught and she was certain to be sent back home.
"Pack your things; your services are no longer wanted" Emmeline said watching as the girl's eyes got big and filled with tears. Emmeline watched the back of the girl before returning back to where the Duchess sat laughing at the situation.
"Do….you…think" the Duchess managed out before Emmeline slumped into the chair and shook her head, by the reaction she had gotten she knew that the girl hadn't heard their whole conversation, if anything it was the tail end of it.
"Emmeline" Genoveva said once she noticed the serious look on her friend's face.
"I wish to discuss Harry"
"Our latest hand?" Genoveva asked confused, she had been hearing the name of the teen from many of the staff that worked the manor.
"Yes, he's…." Emmeline said uncertain on how to describe Harry. She could see the Marquis instantly being intrigued by Harry, but she also knew that Harry was scared of love, having never had any in his life.
"Emmeline" Genoveva asked concerned now, never had her friend been at such a loss of words over one of the hands that worked the manor.
"He's special…no not like that" Emmeline said after receiving a look from Genoveva, which told her what the other was thinking.
"He's been abused and from what Abay and I can tell for his whole life. From the story that I got he was abandoned by his real family to the Baron Dursley, only to be then raised as a hand and treated as if he was worse than that. He's related to the man, his uncle he says" at these words the Duchess paled, if what Emmeline was saying was true there would be a huge mess to be had if her son did take a notice in him.
"The Potters" Genoveva said her voice flat at saying the name, she had heard more than one story about the Potter spawns, as her son referred to the child the bugged him while at Hogwarts by James and Lily Potter. She hadn't known the Potter's had reproduced twice, then again that was probably the way they wanted it.
"How old is he?" Genoveva asked wanting to know if there was truly a cause for the Potter's to abandon one of their children to Baron Dursley.
"He will be sixteen on July 31st" Emmeline said watching her friend and the shock that was written all over her face.
"The bastards" she muttered before glaring at nothing.
"May I inquire…" Emmeline didn't get to finish before Genoveva began speaking, her tone harsh, angry and unforgiving.
"They had triplets, and figured one boy and one girl gave them the best chances" Genoveva said putting two and two together and quickly, she hadn't landed in Ravenclaw for no reason.
"What?" Emmeline said confused, it seemed that Genoveva had figured something out and she was still left in the starting gate.
"Well as you know the Potter family is of Earl Status, and what is the best way to move up?" Genoveva asked knowing that Emmeline would answer her, she always did.
"Marry above your station" Emmeline answered right on cue.
"Well you know that they have twins, a boy and a girl" the Duchess said her tone taking a hard edge to it now.
"Yes, Livi and Jame" Emmeline answered while rolling her eyes, knowing the names of the two Potter children; they were in the papers enough for anyone to know the names.
"Well they of course will be sixteen on what day?"
"The 31st of….July" Emmeline said stunned at what she had just said.
"There was a third"
"How could you do that to your own child?"
"I don't know, but I do plan to make sure that they know nothing of Harry being here"
"He isn't going anywhere" Emmeline said her voice taking a sharp tone as well, there was no way in hell anyone was going to take Harry away from her or the manor. Most of the workers would see to that, one of the only people that didn't like him was on their way out of the manor now.
"I plan to make certain on that, you'll adopt if need be?"
"Of course" Emmeline said jumping at the chance to adopt a child, even though he would be sixteen. There wasn't anything in the world she would take to change her mind on the matter.
"Excellent, then let me do what I need and you do what you do" Genoveva said before looking at the beautiful diamond studded watch on her wrist and seeing that her husband, son and Abay would be pulling in the driveway as they spoke.
"They're here" Emmeline summed up before standing and then curtsying to the Duchess and then leaving the room, going to check on Harry and if he had placed the floral arrangement in the Marquis' bedroom. Emmeline disappeared from sight just as the huge front double doors to the manor flew open with a very handsome young teenage boy flying through them after they were open.
"Mum!" Marquis Cedric Diggory shouted out, waiting for his mother to arrive to the front entry.
"Cedric all that shouting" Genoveva said before pulling her son into a hug and kissing him on the cheeks.
"Had to make sure you remembered I was coming home" Cedric joked with his mother before she pinched him and laughed.
"As if I could forget with that bellowing you did just a moment ago"
"Mum" Cedric whined out for all of two seconds before he began on one of the stories that he had been waiting to tell his mother since he had boarded the Hogwarts Express back to England.
"That son of yours" Abay commented to the Duke while he unpacked the boot of the car that was filled with Cedric's trunk and other luggage that he took to Hogwarts with him.
"He's mine" the Duke said a smile on his face as he watched his son whirl into the house and to where his mother was waiting for him.
"Sir" Abay said deciding that this might be the time to start working on the Duke about his son's choice in spouse.
"Abay, something on your mind?"
"Sir, if I may speak freely"
"Of course, you're a dear friend to this family, both you and your wife are" the Duke said before leaning against the car with Abay standing next to him.
"Your son thinks the world of you" the Duke nodded his head, he knew that but he also knew that some hard truths would be coming shortly.
"But in that he will do *any*thing to please you, even giving up his own happiness"
"But"
"Sir, let me finish. He'll be sixteen in just a week and can then start to court after that"
"Abay"
"Sir, please. Your son prefers males, always has and always will, but he will court and marry a woman if you demand it of him"
"I don't want to do that to my son, why would he do…." Amos Diggory stopped speaking for a moment; he remembered the day Cedric had come home tears running down his face and a bloody lip as well as knees from playing rugby for the first time. He had said he hated it, but he had pushed his son to continue, never realizing that he had basically over rode what his son's wishes were to meet his own.
"Abay you need say no more" Duke Diggory said looking shocked over the revelation he had just received and via one of the workers of the manor. Abay watched his employer and friend walk off into the house, probably to speak with his wife about what he had just figured out.
"Need help?" Byram, the stable hand said sliding up to where Abay now stood luggage surrounding him and a contemplative look on his face.
"Byram?" Abay asked shocked at the young man was out of the stable, he had made it quite clear when he had been hired on that he would only work in the stables, but it seemed that he had changed his mind.
"Need help?" Byram said looking most shifty about something.
"I think I have it" Abay said slowly watching Byram and the way that his eyes continued to dart all over the place, as if looking for someone. It was then that light bulb went off; his wife had told him about Byram's attraction to Harry.
"No, no" Byram said picking up two bags and then making his way into the manor proper, waiting for Abay to arrive to the front entry with more luggage.
"Where to?" Byram asked Abay once he was inside the large front doors.
"Just leave them here, Franklin will help me from here" Abay lied to Byram; he wanted the stable hand no further in the house than he had to be. Harry had confided in him one night that Byram scared him with the way that he followed him around and made fun of him, he reminded him very much like his cousin Dudley Dursley.
"If you're sure?" Byram said slowly waiting for Abay to change his mind.
"Yes, yes Franklin and I can handle it from here" Abay stated before walking the stable hand out of the house and then closing the door behind him.
"What won't that boy do?" Abay asked the empty foyer, only to receive no answer.
"Now to find Harry to help me" Abay said before pulling out his cell phone and calling Harry. It was one of the fastest ways to get into contact with anyone at the manor, no more intercom systems to worry about.
"Abay" Harry said at seeing who was calling him.
"Can you come and help me bring the Marquis' things in and up to his room?"
"Of course, I'm on my way." Harry said before hanging up with Abay, he still got a kick out of when Abay or one of the others called him on the cell phone. It showed at least to him, how much the people at the manor cared for him and the workers in general that worked at the manor.
"Excellent, Byram's on the prowl" Abay said just as Cedric came into the foyer a confused look on his face at hearing the words he had. Byram fancied a girl that worked at the manor? Abay wanted to cuss, right then and there but knew better than to. Cedric would then know something was up and that was the last thing he wanted to do. Cedric was one of those types of people that wouldn't let something go until he received the information he sought.
"Abay" Cedric said hoping that the man in front of him would explain his words.
"The new hand" Abay said hoping to leave as much information out. Abay was lucky in that Cedric's mother the Duchess came into the foyer and shared a look with Abay before speaking to her son.
"Cedric dear, come; your father wishes to speak to you" the Duchess said before guiding a curious Cedric out of the foyer and to where his father stood looking out upon the flower beds that brought the family so much joy.
"Thank you Duke" Abay said just as soon as Harry appeared in front of him. The boy did have a way about him that he would and could arrive to where you were with little sound or notice.
"Abay, who are you talking to?" Harry asked quietly as he usually did when in the presence of a male figure.
"No one, how about you take this up to the Marquis' room?" Abay said handing Harry a couple of bags and then watching as Harry took the bags and made his way towards where the Marquis's bedroom lay.
"Did you speak to him?" Emmeline said sneaking up on her husband as he watched Harry disappear.
"The Duke? Yes, he seemed to realize certain things" Abay said wording what he said carefully, not wanting anyone to hear the words he said.
"Good, so did the Duchess" Emmeline said looking around wondering why her husband being so vague with things.
"Byram" Abay said before his wife truly understood what was going on.
"Sir" a blonde haired, sun kissed skin young man said coming back through the door, looking like he had made a decision and planned to stick with it no matter what.
"Byram" Abay said not at all surprised to see the blonde haired boy standing before him again.
"I came here to talk to you about Harry, the new hand" Byram said before his eyes shifted around the foyer as if expecting for Harry to appear at his name being called. Both Emmeline and Abay both could only hope that Harry would stay out of the way until they could handle Byram and whatever scheme he had cocked up to get closer to Harry.
"What is it?" Abay asked wanting to be polite but knowing that Byram was about to make up some huge lie to get Harry or himself in close quarters with each other, something that neither he nor his wife would allow.
"I think he should spend some time in the stables, he's always out with Laurel and I think some time in the stable will do him some good"
"No"
"But sir"
"I said no Byram, Harry will not work in the stables. If you don't like it, I don't care; go back to the stables and I don't want to hear about this again" Abay said before giving Byram a look that told him that he had better not say anything to anyone or there would be hell to pay. Byram knew he had lost and so turned and left the foyer, not noticing that Harry now stood off to the side hiding himself away from anyone that didn't know he was there. Once Byram was gone did Harry come out of where he was and thank Abay, as if thanks were needed.
"Thank you"
"No need, he will learn" Abay said before handing over some more luggage for Harry to carry upstairs to the Marquis's room.
"I don't think he will stop" Harry warned Abay before dragging the next pieces of luggage away.
"I'll make sure that he does" Abay said before turning to where his wife stood looking ready to scream and yell until she lost her voice.
"Did that *boy* just tell us how to run this manor? Byram Witte will rue the day he spoke those words" Emmeline said before she disappeared leaving Abay standing there with the largest of the Marquis luggage pieces standing next to him.
"Only thing to do is to get these upstairs" Abay said knowing that he wouldn't be able to talk his wife out of whatever it was that she was planning. For the rest of the afternoon workers of the manor welcomed home the Marquis as well and got ready for the huge surprise welcoming home party that the Duchess had planned as a surprise for her son. It would be something that the hands had enjoyed hearing about as it was only for the manor hands to welcome the Marquis home.