Chapter 4 – The Quidditch World Cup
"Cindy, my dear," Albus exclaimed as he took Cindy into a warm embrace. "My how you've grown," he added, smiling down at her.
"Where have you been all this time?" Cindy asked, a lone tear running down her cheek.
"Oh my sweet little girl," he began, wiping the tear from her face. "I've been so busy visiting old friends and family, I don't have the time to visit as much as I would like." He said apologetically.
"I've missed you." She said, hugging him harder.
"And I've missed you too." He said smiling again.
"Don't you age at all?" A voice asked from the edge of the tent.
"Well if it isn't the Baron of Lee?" Albus said with a small laugh.
Harry wasted no more time on small talk; he walked right up to Albus and embraced him like the grandfather he had been to him.
"Retirement suits you." Harry said simply.
"And fame and wealth suits you." Albus retorted happily.
"Come inside old friend, we have much to catch up on." Harry beckoned him.
"Wait daddy, I want to introduce Uncle Albus to my new friends." Cindy said quickly, dragging Albus to the group of girls by the tree next to the tent. "Uncle Albus, this is Kari, Hannah, Madison and Mirta, girls; this is Albus Dumbledore." She said, introducing them.
"The Albus Dumbledore, the famous wizard and former Headmaster of Hogwarts?" Hannah asked.
"The Albus Dumbledore," Cindy replied proudly.
The girls shook Albus' hand apprehensively; they seemed to think just touching him would cause some magical shock to their systems. Albus actually laughed at the spectacle.
Harry beckoned him again to the tent; Albus nodded his good byes and followed him in. If Albus thought that meeting the adults would be any different, he was sadly mistaken.
"Attention everybody, we have another guest." Harry bellowed as he entered the tent.
All eyes turned to look at the newcomer; all but Dudley froze in place. Dudley actually seemed frightened of Albus; he actually took two steps back when Albus entered.
Ginny, Ron and Hermione literally leapt to their feet and ran the length of the tent to greet the newcomer.
"Albus, it's been so long," Hermione cried as she hugged him tightly.
"It is good to see you as well Hermione." Albus said smiling.
"You've been away too long." Ginny scolded him, as she hugged him as tightly as Hermione.
"I'm sorry Ginny; I try to get back as often as I can." Albus apologized.
"Damn, I'm still not taller than you." Ron joked as he hugged his old Headmaster.
"Nor as smart," Albus joked back.
Harry guided Albus to the other guests and began to introduce them, Harry almost laughed out load when they approached Dudley.
"Dudley, this is our old Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore." Harry said, holding back a laugh.
"P P pleased t t to m m meet you." Dudley stuttered, shaking Albus' hand.
"Mr. Dursley, I haven't seen you since you were a baby, my how you've grown." Albus said in a jovial tone.
"Th th thank y you." Dudley responded.
Harry had everyone reseat themselves, and began the obligatory boring dinner conversation.
After some rather boring tales from Dumbledore, the group began to thin out. By two o'clock in the morning, the only remaining adults were Harry, Ginny, Albus, Ron and Hermione, all the others had left.
"Now Albus tell me, what's really been going on around the world?" Harry asked.
Albus looked around the room once, and began to speak. "Someone's rising to power; there have been rumors all over Europe of a dark wizard recruiting other dark wizards." He answered.
"Yes, we've been hearing the same things, but we haven't been able to put a name or face to the rumors." Ron agreed.
"Well whoever it is, he's here, at the cup." Harry said, almost absentmindedly.
"Here?" Albus asked astounded.
"Yeah, Cindy and the girls stumbled upon him and two of his minions earlier today." Harry added.
"What happened, what were they doing?" Albus pressed him.
"Here, see for yourself." Harry said, handing him Cindy's binoculars.
The group waited until Albus finished, and then Ron snatched them from Dumbledore.
"You don't think Cindy's in any danger, do you?" Albus asked Harry.
"Cindy? Of course not, I pity any wizard who crosses her; they'll never know what hit them." Harry said, almost sounding amused.
"But she's still only a little girl." Dumbledore pressed concernedly.
"Trust me Albus, if you thought, even for a moment that she was a powerful witch the last time you saw her, she's even worse now. I would put her up against Riddle himself; she could probably defeat him without working up a sweat." Harry said sounding more serious than any of them had heard from him in a long while.
"Why that f-ing git," Ron blurted out.
"Who," Hermione asked, taking the binoculars from him.
A moment later she knew exactly who. "Viktor," she said simply.
"Not just Krum, the other man, I don't know if you recognized him, that was Karkaroff." Harry explained, catching Ron and Hermione by surprise.
"Ah, you recognized him too, excellent. Our missing former Headmaster of Durmstrang has returned." Dumbledore said, almost sounding amused.
"Did you recognize the third man?" Hermione asked Dumbledore.
"No, unfortunately I have not. How about you Harry?" Dumbledore asked, tuning to Harry.
"The voice sounds oddly familiar, but distorted somehow, I think I know the man under the hood, but unless I see his face, I'll never know for sure." Harry explained.
"So the new Dark Lord is here, talking about the Porter child, and you're not nervous?" Dumbledore asked Harry and Ginny.
"Albus, believe me when I say, Cindy is with us, here at the match, she is going to be at Hogwarts in a couple of weeks, there is no way this Dark Lord or any dark lord is going to come close enough to do her any harm." Ginny paused, and a look more terrifying than any of them would have dreamed crossed Ginny's face. "I guarantee it." She added.
"Please excuse my wife, she takes taking care of the children a little farther than most mothers." Harry said amused, as he made his way towards Ginny, and placed his arms around her.
"I know I, would never cross my sister." Ron interjected smiling. "I put her up against a dozen of my best men; two are still recovering in St. Mungo's." He added in an amused tone.
"I think we should forget about this whole dark lord business for tonight, and get some sleep; the Quidditch World Cup is in a few hours." Hermione piped in.
"Agreed," Dumbledore agreed standing.
"I'll show you to your bedroom, and we'll continue this after we win the Cup." Harry told Dumbledore.
The group broke up for the evening, Ron and Hermione went to their tent, Albus remained with the Potters The next morning would be the start of the Cup, and despite the presence of the new dark lord, they were all looking forward to it.
The morning broke clear and bright, it was amounting to be a perfect Quidditch day. Harry and Albus were up before the rest of the tent, Harry was cooking breakfast and Albus was reading the Daily Prophet. Neither of them spoke of the events or the revelations of the previous day, nor would they until after the game was over.
Harry laid the last of the breakfast on the table as Albus put the newspaper down.
"Would you like me to call everyone to breakfast?" Albus asked politely.
Harry closed his eyes for a moment, and then opened them again.
"Done," Harry said, sitting at the head of the table.
Dumbledore was about to make a comment when Cindy and the twins came running down the stairs.
The twins froze when they saw Dumbledore.
"Uncle Albus!" They exclaimed together.
"Children," he exclaimed back.
They ran up to him and hugged him tightly.
"Where have you been?" Molly asked angrily.
"Oh, I've been here and there, you're not angry with me, are you?" Albus said.
Molly looked at him with her big green eyes, flipped her flowing red hair and smiled.
"No, I'm not mad, I've just missed you." She said, hugging him again.
"Now, now kids, let the man breathe." Harry said, pulling the twins off Dumbledore, and escorting them to their chairs.
"Good morning everybody," Ginny said, slowly walking down the stairs.
"Good morning." The group said as one.
The group stuffed themselves with the large breakfast Harry had cooked, and then went their separate ways to dress.
The game, which was now set for noon that day, was approaching with blinding speed. The Potters and Dumbledore spent the entire morning talking about the former Headmaster's travels and adventures, the twins in particular were riveted to their seats as Albus spoke of goblins, giants and trolls. Harry had to force the conversation to a close.
"It's time everyone, let's get ready to go." Harry said, standing from the comfortable sofa.
"Oh daddy, just one more story," Cindy begged.
"No, we're already late." Harry pressed.
The group rose and exited the tent. They followed the hoards of people walking the path to the new, unused Quidditch pitch that Harry had built just for this occasion.
Harry led the group to the highest box of the Chudley Cannons side of the field. The box, which was set up for twenty people, was completely open with a magical field that shielded it from the elements and stray bludgers.
When the group entered the box, they found Ron, Hermione, Arthur and Molly already in their seats. The twins ran up to their namesakes, and began a barrage of hugs and kisses. Cindy took her seat in the front row, and began scanning the crowd for her friends.
The seats were five across and four deep. Rather than regular stadium seating, as the rest of the pitch, this box had leather recliners with the necessary room to stretch your legs and lay back.
The box also had its own servants, wizarding wireless and loo. Three elves were used to ensure the guests were well cared for, and would not want for anything.
As the guests continued to discuss the impending match, the remaining guests began to arrive sporadically. First to arrive were the Weasley twins; Fred and George, followed by Remus and Katie, and their children, and then finally Sirius, Tonks, Dudley and Parvati.
When the clock struck twelve, the announcer's voice rang through the pitch.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I am Lee Jordan, and welcome to the Quidditch World Cup." The announcer exclaimed, with his voice amplified magically. "Today's match, the Chudley Cannons versus the Romanian Ridgebacks," the announcer continued. After the cheers died down, he began again, "the home team today will be the Romanian Ridgebacks, who will be announced second, so without further ado, here are your Chudley Cannons!" Lee exclaimed.
As Lee was announcing the Cannons, Harry took the opportunity to talk to Ron. "How did Lee convince you to let him announce?" Harry asked amusingly.
"Months of begging and pleading, in the end, it was because our regular announcer came down with a cold." Ron answered smiling.
"He must be in his glory." Harry pointed out.
"You have no idea, he's spent the last two days singing and dancing around the office, that's why I left early yesterday." Ron added.
"I'm glad I wasn't there, I've heard Lee sing." Harry joked.
"Oh, I forgot to mention, our starting seeker got injured during practice the other day, we have a reserve in." Ron declared, pointing to the player that was just announced.
Harry looked up in time to see a small creature, with large eyes and ears riding on a broom; Dobby.
"Dobby," Harry exclaimed, as he jumped to his feet.
"I thought I'd surprise you." Ron said smiling.
"Consider me surprised, but not everyone." Harry added as he looked at his wife, who had obviously known.
"He wouldn't do it without the leave of his master or mistress, so I asked Ginny." Ron said sheepishly.
Harry noticed the only people cheering were a small band of elves sitting in a corner box almost at ground level.
"Not very popular, is he?" Harry said more than asked.
"He will be, you just watch." Ron said cryptically.
An hour later the game was finally under way, the Cannon's chasers were completely outmatched by the Romanians, but to their credit, they fought for every point they received.
In the first ten minutes of the match, Romania had scored sixty points and the Cannons only ten. The Romanian beaters were relentless against Dobby and the Cannon's beaters did absolutely nothing to stop them. Three times in those first ten minutes Dobby had to dive for the ground to avoid being hit by a bludger.
By the end of the first three hours, the Romanians were up 260 to 60, even if Dobby would somehow be able to catch the snitch, the Cannons would still lose.
"This is embarrassing." Ron said, turning around to face Harry.
Ron saw the unmistakable yellow eyes of the griffin, he almost shrieked in terror.
"Harry, what are you doing?" Ron asked quickly.
"Watching the snitch," Harry answered simply.
It dawned on Ron what Harry meant, his eyesight as a griffin was several times better than his eyesight as a human.
"Can you see it?" Ron asked.
"Our side, top ring post, halfway up. It's staying out of play." Harry answered emotionlessly.
Ron grabbed Cindy's binoculars and looked where Harry had directed him. A small speck of gold was hovering several meters above the ground behind the center post of the Cannons goal.
"Ron, you're being obvious." Harry said to Ron.
Ron quickly gave the binoculars back to Cindy, and searched out Dobby with his eyes.
Harry watched as the Cannon's beaters did nothing to help their seeker against the endless barrage of bludgers that the opposing team was hitting his way.
"Dobby, dive straight down, bludger," Harry said in his mind, causing Dobby to obey his command, narrowly missing the bludger Dobby did not see flying straight at his head.
"That's it, now I'm pissed. Dobby, I know you can hear me, so listen. Don't just sit around looking for the snitch, start flying around and breaking up the Romanian's scoring drives, do everything you can to keep them from scoring." Harry commanded.
"Yes sir." Dobby responded in his mind, and took off after the Romanian chasers who were now in control of the quaffle.
With Dobby's small frame, and almost nonexistent weight, he caught up to the chasers easily, turned his broom in front of the lead chaser, and forced him into the center ring. He fell unconscious to the ground, the Romanians called time out.
Dobby was waived in for a team meeting, but ignored the coach, and continued to look for the snitch.
When play resumed, Dobby again began the task of keeping the Romanian chasers from getting near the Cannon's goal posts. Within just thirty minutes of play, the score had gone from a 200 point deficit to only a 160 point deficit.
Dobby watched as the Romanian beaters each hit a bludger simultaneously at Dobby, his beaters were still nowhere to be seen. Dobby used that opportunity to turn the tides, he shot after the three chasers that were heading towards the Cannon's goal once again, this time, rather than cutting them off, Dobby flew right in between the chasers. Seeing an opportunity to rid themselves of this pest, they made to ram him on either side. Dobby waited until they had committed themselves completely, and then shot out from between them. Just as they were about to hit each other, they were both instead; hit by bludgers in the back of their heads, making them both fall painfully to the ground, prompting another time out. Neither Dobby nor the rest of the team heard the chanting from the crowd, the Cannon's fans were all cheering for Dobby.
This time, the Romanian chasers would not be getting back on their brooms, they were out for the game. The Cannons were now facing one chaser, both beaters, the keeper and seeker, but even that would be changing soon.
"Dobby, it's time for the seeker." Harry communicated to Dobby, who understood completely.
Dobby made like he was after the remaining chaser, then turned abruptly and headed towards his own goal posts. The Romanian seeker saw his maneuver, and took off after Dobby. Dobby began to extend his arm little by little, trying to catch a snitch that wasn't there, but the Romanian couldn't see clearly, he only knew he had to catch the snitch first, he had lost count of the score and wasn't sure if the Cannons would win if Dobby caught the snitch. The Romanian finally caught up to Dobby, and extended his arm in front of Dobby's, just then, Dobby turned upward like a rocket, and pulled out almost as fast. The Romanian had no chance, he ploughed right into the side of the pitch, and fell unconscious immediately, and the seeker was gone as well.
The Romanian beaters had to turn their attention to the Cannon's chasers, they had to keep them from scoring, they had hoped if they could keep the score down low enough, maybe the seeker and chasers could heal in time, and resume the game.
Dobby spent the rest of the game in search of the snitch. He listened as his team score increased and increased throughout the game. The score was now the Cannons 300, and the Ridgebacks 260, and then it happened, Dobby saw a streak of gold flash passed one of the Romanian beaters. Dobby wasted no time, he shot like a bullet towards the Romanian beater, the beater saw Dobby coming, and began to panic, he thought he was after him.
The beater, turned and fled the area, leaving Dobby a clear line to the snitch, then Dobby pulled up, a gold, winged ball struggling in his hand, he had caught the snitch.
"The Cannons win!" Lee Jordan exclaimed, and the Quidditch pitch erupted in applause and cheers.
Dobby did not go to the rest of the team to celebrate, he went straight to the owners box where his Master; Harry Potter was seated.
Harry saw him approaching, and removed the protective shield around the box so Dobby could enter. Dobby landed, and went straight to Harry.
"Dobby thanks you sir, Dobby thanks you." He said breathlessly.
"You're welcome." Harry said smiling at the watery eyes of his long time friend and caretaker.
"You should go celebrate with your team." The Minister declared.
"Oh no he should not! Not after the way he was treated." Hermione said indignantly.
"She's right Dobby, your place is here with us." Ron agreed.
"Then Dobby will stay," Dobby said to his employer.
"But you have to go get your trophy." Fred pointed out.
"Our trophy," Ron corrected him.
The night of the thirty first of August, Harry had arranged for a large dinner party at Potter Castle. He wanted everyone who could make it to visit Cindy before the big day, Hogwarts day.
Harry invited all the teachers Cindy was already acquainted with as well as the Headmistress herself; Minerva McGonagall. Even Albus Dumbledore himself was due to attend.
"She already knows how things are supposed to work. She knows how to speak to the professors and the Headmistress, why this party?" Ginny asked Harry.
"I'm doing this more for the adults than for Cindy. I think they are all uncomfortable with the prospect of teaching her, mainly because of who she is, but also because of what she is. And I want to lay down any concerns they may have." Harry explained.
"I disagree completely, I don't think they're concerned at all, but if it makes you happy, I'll go along." Ginny said begrudgingly.
Before long, the house was buzzing with activity; guests were arriving from every possible entry. Harry had invited all the family members as well as the professors who currently taught at Hogwarts.
"Damn Harry, who did you invite?" Ron asked as he helped himself to the shrimp.
"Everybody; you and Hermione, your parents, all your brothers and sisters and their spouses, Neville and Luna, Gabrielle, McGonagall, Flitwick, Hagrid, Draco and his wife Rebecca, Remus, Katie and the kids, Dumbledore and of course Sirius and Tonks." Harry answered, making sure to account for everyone.
"What, you didn't invite Trelawney or Binns?" Ron asked sarcastically.
"No, but I was going to invite Myrtle." Harry said honestly.
"You would," Ron added condescendingly.
"Quite a turnout," McGonagall said as she joined Harry and Ron.
"I just wanted everyone to feel more at ease about Cindy." Harry told her honestly.
"Do you feel they're not at ease?" McGonagall asked.
"Honestly Minerva, no, I think all the teachers feel threatened by her, well all but Severus." Harry added.
"Don't be concerned about us Harry, we know Cindy wouldn't hurt anyone who wasn't a threat to her or the school, we have the utmost confidence in her and her abilities." McGonagall explained.
"But I'm sure you've either had a meeting already, or have one planned in her honor." Harry said knowingly.
"Well, a witch of her caliber would require such attention." McGonagall added.
"When is the meeting?" Harry pressed.
"Tomorrow morning in my office." She said emotionlessly.
"Then I would ask a small favor, don't include anyone who is not in this house tonight." Harry asked.
"And why is that Harry?" McGonagall asked.
"Let's just say I have concerns about at least one of your new teachers, and I'm sure Albus would concur." Harry said, nodding to the man who had just joined them.
"I do concur Minerva, I'm sure you understand the importance of secrecy." Albus agreed.
"Very well, I shall only call for the teachers in this room, but if my students or school is in any danger, I fully expect to be informed." McGonagall added in no uncertain terms.
"Of course Headmistress." Albus said smiling.
"Besides, you always have my goddaughter to protect you." Ron said grinning.
"Be nice Ron." Hermione warned.
"Ah, my beautiful sister in law, welcome to the festivities." Harry said, kissing Hermione on the lips.
"Yes, I think Hermione will ensure her godchild's conformity." Albus said, looking at Hermione.
"Conformity is overrated Albus, I think she should be given a wide berth." Hermione said, startling the small group.
"Mrs. Weasley, surely you can't be serious." McGonagall said.
"I am, I'm not saying she should be free to run the school, I'm just saying she should be given the same considerations her father was given. She is without a doubt the most powerful witch in the world, and barring her father, she is the most powerful human being on the planet, if she's going to grow as a witch and a woman, we have to give her as many concessions as we can without disrupting the rest of the school." Hermione explained her viewpoint.
"Perhaps this is a discussion for the meeting tomorrow, we'll continue this there." McGonagall said leaving no doubt the conversation was over.
"Harry, may I speak to you in private?" Dumbledore asked.
"Of course Albus, how about my old war room?" Harry asked back.
"Yes, that would be splendid." Dumbledore said, leading Harry through the library to the old war room.
The war room had obviously remained unused in all the years since Voldemort, dust had settled in corners despite the house elves valiant efforts to clean. Dumbledore took a seat opposite Harry's old desk, and waited a moment for Harry to join him.
"What can I do for you?" Harry asked, sitting down.
"I've wanted to ask you something since the night before the Quidditch match, what do you know about Cindy?" Dumbledore asked his now famous open-ended question.
"What do I know about her, everything since I adopted her." Harry answered.
"And what about before you adopted her?" Albus pressed.
"Not much, just what the orphanage told me about her. Why?" Harry asked back.
"I'm not sure, but there is a striking similarity between Cindy and your other daughter Molly, very striking. Not to mention how much she looks like you and Ginny, it's rather intriguing." Dumbledore explained.
"Yeah, I've been hearing that a lot, complete strangers are saying how much she looks like me, so much so that I hired both a magical and muggle private investigator to research her background." Harry said confidentially.
"So you have noticed." Dumbledore stated the obvious.
"Yes sir I have, I just didn't think anybody else had noticed, but I should have expected you would, nothing gets by you." Harry said smiling.
"I highly recommend you keep on top of this, I have a very bad feeling." Dumbledore confided.
"So do I," Harry agreed.
Dumbledore stood and walked over to the plotting board in the middle of the room. He stared at the small dots floating across the map of the world.
"You used to keep track of every Dark Auror on the planet." Dumbledore observed needlessly.
"And maybe I should start again." Harry said, walking up to him.
"Maybe you should." Dumbledore agreed.
They both made their way back to the party, all the guests had arrived, and the house was louder than any had heard in quite a while. Harry smiled to himself as he watched how the groups were spread apart. The only ones who did not seem to be enjoying themselves were Percy and his fiancée Doris Cappa.
"Having a smashing time?" Harry asked sarcastically.
"Harry, it's been too long." Doris said, hugging Harry tightly.
"How've you been," Harry asked her.
"Quite well, but extremely busy, the Department of Education is severely short staffed, and I keep working late into the night." She said honestly.
"Well I'm sure you're in good company." Harry said, motioning to Percy.
"Who him, he lives at the Ministry, I've given up on trying to get him to come home." Doris said smiling.
"I am the Deputy Minister of Magic, I have responsibilities." Percy said indignantly.
"Maybe so, but even the Minister finds time for his family." Doris said angrily, evidently reliving a previous argument.
"Come now, this is a party, let's have fun." Harry said, dragging Doris to the dance floor.
"I'm sorry Harry, but Percy just doesn't let up, he works night and day." Doris apologized as Harry spun her around the dance floor.
"I know, but if you want Percy to relax, tell his father, he'll order Percy to take a holiday." Harry recommended as they continued to dance.
"Good idea, I'll hit him up later." Doris said realizing Harry's idea had merits.
"Good, now have a good time, that's an order." Harry said smiling.
"Yes sir." She answered playfully.
When the song ended, Harry escorted Doris back to her moping fiancé, and excused himself from them, and sought out Ginny.
Hermione, Ginny and Katie were gathered in a corner away from all the children. Hermione was talking animatedly about her lesson plan for the year.
"I can't wait to see how the first years handle all that." Hermione was saying to the other two.
"It certainly sounds harder than when I was a first year." Katie said.
"Me too, are you sure they can handle it?" Ginny asked.
"Oh trust me, I'm sure the first years these days can handle anything." Hermione explained.
"Were you serious about giving Cindy certain concessions?" Ginny asked, having heard about it from Ron.
"Yes I was, Ron, Harry and I had many dangerous and enjoyable experiences in Hogwarts, I think Cindy should have them too. We could never have stopped Voldemort had we stuck to the rules all those years, and with the rise of some new Dark Lord, I think Cindy should be allowed the same latitude we received." Hermione explained.
"What Dark Lord?" Katie asked.
"And she's a Dark Auror." Ginny pointed out jokingly.
"We all suspect a new Dark Lord is taking power, Cindy managed to capture him on video the day before the Quidditch World Cup." Hermione explained.
"And one of the new Hogwarts teachers was there." Ginny added.
"Who?" Katie asked quickly.
"Krum, and his old Headmaster, Karkaroff." Hermione answered.
"And they're still allowing him to teach?" Katie asked shocked.
"Well there is really no proof of anything, they really didn't say anything incriminating, at least nothing that would stick in court." Ginny said.
"Well I sincerely hope someone's going to keep an eye on him." Katie added.
"And I'm hoping that someone would be you." Harry said to Hermione.
"Me? Are you sure? Ron might get a little upset." Hermione said nervously.
"Then don't tell him. We all remember how Krum had fallen for you in our fourth year, I think with a little coaxing, he'll fall head over heals again. I don't want you to pry, or let him think you want something, just let him befriend you, and nature will do the rest." Harry explained.
"Harry, I'm a married woman." Hermione said shocked.
"I'm not asking you to cheat on your husband Hermione, I'm just asking you to be friendly to an old school chum." Harry said vaguely.
"And listen to everything he has to say I presume." Hermione added, catching on.
"And report it to me, Albus or Ron." Harry added.
"Very well, I'll do it. At least I'll be able to keep him away from Cindy." Hermione justified.
"I wouldn't be too concerned with Cindy, I don't think they're after her." Harry said honestly.
"But what about the video?" Ginny asked.
"I can't explain it, but I just don't think they were talking about Cindy." Harry said, seemingly deep in thought.
"Fir's years, fir's years this way." They heard a booming voice from behind them.
"Hagrid," they all exclaimed.
"Sorry, jus' practicin'." Hagrid joked.
"Good to see you old friend." Harry said, hugging Hagrid around the midsection.
"You too 'Arry, you too." Hagrid replied, squeezing Harry lightly.
"You still escorting the first years to the castle?" Katie asked, knowing he was a fully qualified wizard now.
"Yeah, I love that job, it's me favorite." Hagrid explained.
"But it's professor Hagrid now." Harry added.
"Nah, jus' Hagrid, I don' like that professor stuff." Hagrid said sheepishly.
"Any big hairy monsters on the agenda for the first years?" Harry asked jokingly.
"Nah, just unicorns, phoenixes and griffins. You wanna help out with the griffin class dis year 'Arry?" Hagrid asked hopefully.
"Yeah, maybe, been having trouble getting any?" Harry asked back.
"Yeah, hard to come by, griffins, especially the golden kind." Hagrid said.
"Let me know when you need me, and I'll be there." Harry said, patting his friend on the back.
"Thanks 'Arry, I'll call ya." Hagrid said excitedly.
Harry left Hagrid with the girls, and continued to mingle around the party. He spent some time with his mother and father in law, with Bill, Fleur and Gabrielle, and almost froze when he saw Draco and Rebecca.
"You're pregnant," Harry exclaimed when he saw her.
"Very observant Potter, she's only eight months pregnant." Draco said sarcastically.
"Draco, I didn't think you had it in you, or is it the neighbor's too." Harry joked.
"Keep it up Potter." Draco warned jokingly.
"Oh come on Draco, I know it's no the neighbor's, it's mine?" Harry joked again.
"You, I still have doubts about the ones that call you daddy." Draco continued their banter.
Harry laughed; he enjoyed nothing as much as Draco's company. Harry smiled and kissed Rebecca, then turned towards Draco.
"You kiss me, and I'll belt you one." Draco warned.
"Oh but Draco, you're so sexy." Harry said sarcastically.
"Get away from me, my wife's all I need." Draco said, taking his wife in a loving embrace.
"May I have a moment?" Harry heard the voice of Severus Snape.
"Of course Severus." Harry answered, walking to a quiet corner.
"I just wanted you to know I'd be looking out for Cindy. I know you're concerned about her, shall we say, talents, but take solace, I will watch out for her." Severus said consolingly.
"Thank you old friend, it really means a lot to me knowing you're watching over her." Harry said honestly.
"But just so as we're clear, I will be treating her, less than equally." Severus said in his Snape-like voice.
"Don't worry Severus, I know what you mean, and I'll be taking no offense, but Ginny, that's another story." Harry added as he turned to leave, leaving Snape with a look of utter terror on his face.
The night began to come to a close, Harry felt certain that none of the teachers harbored any concerns about Cindy, and what he was feeling was his own doubt. But watching Cindy interact with everyone at the party, Harry no longer had any doubts; Cindy was ready for Hogwarts, ready to take on the next big adventure.
Harry and Ginny waited by the door to the ballroom as the guests made their way to the various exits. Harry and Ginny wished them all a good night as they passed. When they were all gone from the room, Harry followed Ginny into the kitchen for a bite.
"Feeling better?" Ginny asked Harry.
"You know what, I am." Harry answered smiling.
"Good, now don't doubt our daughter ever again." Ginny warned, sounding very serious.
"Yes Ginny dear." Harry said, gaining a slap from his wife.
"I'm serious Harry, you have to have more faith in her, she's not just strong in magic, she's strong in every way." Ginny said, taking Harry in an embrace.
"I'm sorry Ginny, I'll never doubt my family again." Harry added, before kissing Ginny deeply.
"Do you think she'll try to teach the other children?" Ginny asked.
"Of course she will. The question is, how will the staff handle it?" Harry said.
"The staff will deal with it, or they'll answer to me." Ginny said, all joking aside.
"That's what I wanted to hear." Harry answered.
"So, want to try and knock me up again?" Ginny asked coyly.
"You're already knocked up, so I'm going to have to try really hard." Harry said in his most bedroom voice.
"That's what I'm hoping for." Ginny said as they both apparated to the bedroom.
Cindy was still up in her room. She was stroking Hedwig absentmindedly as her father had done a thousand times before.
"I'm scared Hedwig, I've never been away from home for so long. I know I'll have my friends with me, but what if they're in a different house, or I am, what if no one likes me. What if I'm not good in school, oh Hedwig, I'm so scared." She told her owl.
Hedwig just hooted softly, he expected many more sleepless nights with Cindy
